March is Youth Art Month—and the Portland Museum of Art (PMA) is hosting its annual exhibit showcasing the amazing artwork of talented students in kindergarten through grade 12 from schools around Maine. The artworks of numerous Portland Public Schools students are included in the exhibit, which is put on in collaboration with the Maine Art Education Association (MAEA).

This exhibit of more than 90 works not only turns the spotlight on these young creatives, but also celebrates the importance of art education and highlights the role that art educators play in fostering creativity, expression, and communication skills in students. The exhibit, which is open now and through April 5, is located on the lower ground floor of the PMA. The artwork can be viewed in person at the museum and also on the museum’s website. Learn more and view the artwork.

“Each year, there is a thread of joy and expression through the arts that is important to spotlight,” said Meghan Quigley Graham, PMA director of learning and teaching. “This year, it is just as important to continue advocating for arts education in schools and access to arts programming for young artists…Our arts educators need support and funding to continue providing brave spaces for our young artists to express their ideas and share moments of joy. ”The PMA has extended to April 5 the amount of time this exhibition is on view so that more people can visit to share in the joy and power of youth art. The museum is free to the public on the third Thursday of every month, and every Friday from 4-8 p.m.

Photos:

Above: "Tilly" by Sophia Savova, grade 9, Portland High School, graphite on paper, teacher Emily Haines.

Below: "Whale Shark" by Blake Gayle, grade 11, Deering High School, clay with glaze, teacher Emily Serway

The Portland Public Schools is Maine’s largest school district, with more than 6,200 students, and it’s also the most diverse. About one-third of the district’s students come from homes where languages other than English are spoken—a total of 61 languages. Approximately 49 percent of the district’s students are white and 51 percent are students of color. More than half of all PPS students are economically disadvantaged.