Elementary students show off their art

BY ROSE SGARLATO
SPARTA — March was Youth Art Month, a national movement to celebrate and advocate for youth art education programs in schools, museums, and other organizations. Sparta Public Library and Sparta public Schools joined forces to honor Youth Art Month.
Library Youth Services Librarian Meaghan Darling, the library's Children’s Assistants Jennifer Cristillo and Gina Muth, and Allison Rudolph, art teacher at Helen Morgan and Mohawk Avenue schools organized and held the township's annual youth art show. Eighteen students, from grades 3 to 5, were selected to participate in the art show. On Friday, March 16, the Sparta Public Library hosted a reception to honor these students and to offer an opportunity for the young artists to show their work to their families and friends. The exhibition was well-received with almost 60 students, families, and friends in attendance.
"The library was excited to collaborate with the Helen Morgan and Mohawk Avenue schools and host the annual Youth Art Month exhibit," Darling said.
"It was wonderful to work with the library to organize an experience for students, their families, and community members to engage in an art activity outside the classroom," Rudolph said.
The student artists appreciated the opportunity and the recognitiion.
"I liked that my family came and saw my artwork, and also my friend," said Brooke Morin, a 3rd grader at Mohawk Avenue School.
The art show will remain open until the end of the month and can be visited in the lower level of the building during library hours.