Youth Center to host art exhibit

  • Published
  • By Airman Brigitte Brantley
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  The Moody Youth Center is scheduled to host the annual Boys and Girls Clubs of America's National Fine Arts Exhibit Program from 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 15 here.

The Youth Center has hosted the program, which encourages artistic expression and promotes creativity in the BGCA members who range in age from six to 18 years old, for more than 10 years. The participants pick their favorite art exhibit entry they want to submit.

Entries are judged in four age divisions and 10 categories. The categories include pastels, sculptures, collages, watercolors and drawings.

"Children spend their time during the open recreation and school-age programs developing this art", said Nikki Bennett, Youth Center section chief. "Once a week, we'll host a class with a different medium. Those mediums have included comic book art, matting and developing wall murals."

Children also have the opportunity to work on their art outside of the offered class times.

"I do art almost every day here," said Emily Berard, 10-year old daughter of Master Sgt. Ronald Berard. "Right now, I'm making a clay model of a bowl. I'm using playdough for the red."

Last year, Emily won third place in the oil pastel category.

"We have the opportunity to choose the best from each area in each age group," said Dianne Steele, training and curriculum specialist. "We send those selected to the regional competition and see how they do there."

Once the art entry reaches the regional level, it is judged by a panel of distinguished judges. If any of the pieces are selected to be exhibited at the national level, they will be shown at BCGA events throughout the year, including the national conference. It is also displayed on the BGCA's Web site.

"The prizes at that level are usually art-related," Ms. Bennett said. "For example, a digital camera is the prize for the photography category."

In the past, the children have loved seeing their artwork actually displayed, Ms. Bennett said.

Next year, the Youth Center is planning to expand this event to include a spaghetti dinner and an art auction.