Waterville partners to launch local youth exhibit March 3

Ticonic Gallery in Waterville is partnering with Greene Block + Studios to celebrate Youth Art Month with a multi-site exhibition of artwork by local students in grades K-12. Shown is a piece by Uliana Fournier, Winslow High School, grade 10. Submitted photo

WATERVILLE — Ticonic Gallery, a division of Waterville Creates, is partnering with Greene Block + Studios to celebrate Youth Art Month with a multi-site exhibition of artwork by local students in grades K-12.

The ninth annual YAM exhibition is scheduled to be on view at both locations Friday, March 3, through Friday, March 31, with an opening reception from 4-7 p.m. March 3, in conjunction with downtown Waterville’s First Friday event.

Ticonic Gallery is at 93 Main St. in the Paul J. Schupf Art Center, and Greene Block + Studios is at 18 Main St.

Sponsored by the Colby College Museum of Art, Kennebec Savings Bank, Morning Sentinel and Kennebec Journal, and PRO Moving Service, this year’s YAM exhibition will include the work of youth artists from 25 participating area schools.

This landscape painting, inspired by folk artist Heather Geller, is by Celeste Hussey, a first grader at George J. Mitchell School. Submitted photo

YAM 2023 participating schools include Albert S. Hall School, Canaan Elementary School, Clinton Elementary School, George J. Mitchell School, Sylvio J. Gilbert Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary School, Madison Elementary School, Madison Junior High School, Maine Arts Academy, Maranacook Community Middle School, Messalonskee High School, Messalonskee Middle School, Mount Merici Academy, Mt. Vernon Elementary School, Palermo Consolidated School, Readfield Elementary School, Warsaw Middle School, Waterville Alternative High School, Waterville Senior High School, Waterville Junior High School, Wayne Elementary School, Whitefield Elementary School, Winslow High School and Winslow Junior High School.

In conjunction with YAM, Waterville Creates is conducting a special awareness campaign and fundraising drive for its Youth Arts Access Fund. Established in March 2022 with the belief that all youth, regardless of income, ability, or background, should have access to outstanding arts programming and arts education opportunities, the fund provides free admission for youth ages 18 and younger to the full range of programming offered by Waterville Creates and its divisions, including art classes and camps, community theatre productions, live music, and film programming.

Initially established as a pilot program with a $15,000 grant from the Raymond J. and Mary C. Reisert Foundation, the fund has received additional support from a variety of foundations, businesses, and individuals. The fund has been accessed nearly 1,000 times, allowing youth to attend events and programs across all divisions of Waterville Creates, including Ticonic Gallery + Studios, Maine Film Center, and Waterville Opera House.

“We established the Youth Arts Access Fund in direct response to feedback from our community that cost is a significant barrier for many families who want to participate in arts programming,” said Shannon Haines, president + CEO of Waterville Creates, according to a news release from Mary Ellms, communications coordinator at Waterville Creates. “We have been thrilled by the number of youth who have utilized YAAF for everything from movie tickets to theatre productions to art classes, and we are committed to sustaining this dedicated fund with the community’s support.”

Ticonic Gallery is free and open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday-Monday. Greene Block + Studios is free and open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, and noon-5 p.m. Saturday.

For more information on YAM, visit the Ticonic Gallery exhibitions page at watervillecreates.org; for information about the Youth Arts Access Fund, including a link to donate, visit watervillecreates.org.