WATERVILLE, Maine—Ticonic Gallery, a division of Waterville Creates, is once again partnering with Colby College’s Greene Block + Studios to celebrate Youth Art Month (YAM) with an inspiring multisite exhibition showcasing artwork by more than 400 K–12 students from 31 area schools. The 11th annual YAM exhibition opens on March 1 and will remain on view at the two venues until April 6.
During YAM, students of all ages have the opportunity to see their work displayed in a professional gallery setting. Works of all media—including painting, pottery, photography, digital art, sculpture, and more—are on view to a wide audience of thousands of art enthusiasts for the month. Established in 1961, Youth Art Month 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. 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 “Healing Through Color.”
“Now in its 11th year, Youth Art Month is a vibrant celebration of our dedicated arts educators and the invaluable impact they have on their students,” said Marie Sugden, Waterville Creates’ exhibitions coordinator. “This special event provides young artists with the opportunity to showcase their creativity in a gallery setting. Each Youth Art Month, I am truly inspired by the incredible talent and imagination on display, and I eagerly look forward to this exhibition every year.”
As part of downtown Waterville’s First Friday event on March 7, Ticonic Gallery and Greene Block + Studios will host an opening reception for Youth Art Month from 4–7pm. Last year’s YAM opening reception was the largest opening in Ticonic’s history, welcoming more than 1,200 people through the gallery space in a few hours.
The artwork of students K–5 will be on view in Ticonic Gallery in the Paul J. Schupf Art Center at 93 Main Street in Waterville. Students in grades 6–12 will have their work showcased at Greene Block + Studios, just down the street from Ticonic at 18 Main Street.
Ticonic Gallery is free and open to the public daily, 11am–7pm, except on Tuesdays and federal holidays. For the duration of Youth Art Month, Greene Block + Studios will also be open to the public Wednesdays–Mondays, 11am–7pm. For more information on YAM and future exhibitions, please visit ticonic.org.
Youth Art Month is sponsored by the Colby College Museum of Art, Kennebec Savings Bank, Central Maine Newspapers, the City of Waterville, and the Colby Center for the Arts and Humanities.
YAM 2025 participating schools: Albert S. Hall School, Athens Community School, Bloomfield Elementary School, Canaan Elementary School, George J. Mitchell School, Kennebec Montessori School, Lincoln Elementary School, Madison Elementary School, Madison Junior Senior High School, Main Street Middle School, Maine Arts Academy, Manchester Elementary School, Maranacook Community Middle School, Margaret Chase Smith School, Messalonskee High School, Mount Merici Academy, Mt. Vernon Elementary School, Palermo Consolidated School, Readfield Elementary School, Skowhegan Area High School, Skowhegan Area Middle School, Sylvio Gilbert Elementary School, Vassalboro Community School, Waterville Alternative High School, Waterville Junior High School, Waterville Senior High School, Wayne Elementary School, Whitefield Elementary School, Winslow Elementary School, Winslow High School, Winslow Junior High School
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About Ticonic Gallery + Studios
Ticonic Gallery presents diverse year-round programming that incorporates local, regional, established, and emerging artists as part of gallery exhibitions and associated events. This arrangement of exhibitions allows for a broad representation of artists and media throughout the state of Maine and beyond. Ticonic Studios provide a safe and supportive environment for creative endeavors for all ages and levels of experience and offer a diverse array of educational experiences that enrich, engage, and inspire. Ticonic Gallery + Studios are located in the Paul J. Schupf Art Center, 93 Main Street, Waterville. Learn more at watervillecreates.org/ticonic, or follow Ticonic on Facebook and Instagram @ticonicgalleryandstudios.
Image credit: John Meader