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. Shown is “Lily Pads” by Crystal Reynolds, Winslow High School. 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 10th annual YAM exhibition will be open at both locations Friday, March 1, through Sunday, March 31, with an opening reception from 3-7 p.m. March 1 in conjunction with downtown Waterville’s First Friday event. Sponsored by Allen Insurance, Colby College Museum of Art, Kennebec Savings Bank, Morning Sentinel and Kennebec Journal, and the city of Waterville, this year’s YAM exhibition will include the work of youth artists from 32 participating area schools.

YAM 2024 participating schools are Albert S. Hall School, Athens Community School, Bloomfield Elementary School, Canaan Elementary School, George J. Mitchell School, Kennebec Montessori School and Lincoln Elementary School.

Also, Madison Elementary School, Madison Junior Senior High School, Main Street Middle School, Manchester Elementary School, Maranacook Community Middle School, Margaret Chase Smith School and Messalonskee High School.

Also, Mount Merici Academy, Mt. Vernon Elementary School, Palermo Consolidated School, Readfield Elementary School, Skowhegan Area High School, Skowhegan Area Middle School and Sylvio Gilbert Elementary School.

Also, Vassalboro Community School, Waterville Alternative High School, Waterville Junior High School, Waterville Senior High School, Wayne Elementary School, Whitefield Elementary School and Windsor Elementary School.

Also, Winslow Elementary School, Winslow High School and Winslow Junior High School.

Established in 1961, YAM is a national initiative spearheaded by the Council for Art Education and designed to emphasize the value of art education for all children and to encourage support for quality school art programs. Featuring works in a variety of media, including painting, digital art, pottery, and photography, YAM is an opportunity for students to showcase their work in a gallery setting and share their achievements with their families and their community. This year’s YAM theme is “Dream in Art,” according to a news release from Waterville Creates.

On view at Waterville Creates will be the artwork of students K-5. During the opening reception March 1, suggested hours of viewing for grades K-3 are 3-5:30 p.m. and grades 4-5 from 5:30-7 p.m. On view at Greene Block + Studios will be the artwork of grades 6-12. During First Friday, the Children’s Discovery Museum will bring their Mobile Museum Exhibits to the Paul J. Schupf Art Center, and Greene Block + Studios will host open studios with the Lunder Institute for American Art.

Located at 93 Main St. in the Paul J. Schupf Art Center, Ticonic Gallery is free and open to the public from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays. For the duration of Youth Art Month, Greene Block + Studios, located at 18 Main St., is also open to the public from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays.

For more information, visit watervillecreates.org.

Check out other upcoming area events!