A Youthful Explosion of Creativity

Arts Center Holds Its 10th Annual Youth Art Show

By Jeff Koslofsky

Monday, February 9, 2009

Some fresh local talent was on display Sunday at the Franklin Park Performing and Visual Arts Center in Leesburg.

Loudoun County students - from preschoolers to 12th-graders - showcased their artwork there for the 10th annual Youth Art Show. The theme for this year's show was "Creativity Explosion."

In all, 84 pieces of artwork were on display. The paintings, drawings, photography and ceramics lined the walls of the arts center, where parents and classmates admired the work before them. Volunteers from around the county judged the pieces.

Students entered their work into this competition for various reasons. Some were interested in the competitive nature of the show, hoping that their work would stand out against their classmates'. Others participated so that their parents could see their work on display. And still others just did it because they enjoy art.

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Kids Show Off Artwork at Franklin Center

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John Huyett, 6, holds up his Certificate of Participation standing in front of his acrylic titled, "The Village." His work earned him second place in the first grade division. (Jeff Koslofsky)

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Shea O'Brien, 10, poses next to her combination piece of acrylic, graphite and pencil. She titled it, "Queen of Color," and received first place honors in the fifth grade category. (Jeff Koslofsky)

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The artwork on display ranged from pencil drawings and paintings to collages and photography. (Jeff Koslofsky)

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Lee Berry, 7, gives a thumbs-up in front of his picture created by food coloring and a sponge. He called it, "Sky of Colors." (Jeff Koslofsky)

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Ashley Bittner, 12, stands next to her colored pencil drawing called . (Jeff Koslofsky)

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Nino De Barros, 8, stands next to his piece that earned him honorable mention. He titled it, "La Tortuga," which is spanish for "turtle." (Jeff Koslofsky)

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Many Loudoun residents gathered at the Franklin Park Performing and Visual Arts Center, Sunday, to admire artwork done by students ranging from preschool all the way to 12th grade. First through third place and honorable mention ribbons were awarded to winners in each grade. (Jeff Koslofsky)

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Shea O'Brien, 10, of Round Hill won a first-place ribbon for her artwork, "Queen of Color." The piece was acrylic, graphite and pencil work all combined to create a picture of a queen. Shea has been entering this competition since kindergarten, and it's evident she has a gift.

"I've done it for years, it's just a no-brainer," she said when asked why she has entered the competition so many times. "I definitely want to be an artist one day."

An event such as this one encourages children to use their creativity in many different ways. Throughout the afternoon, the works on the walls prompted many of the visitors to remark to themselves and their companions, "This is amazing." The phrase was repeated often.

Barbara Sample, volunteer coordinator at the Franklin Park Performing and Visual Arts Center, said she thinks it's important to get the students involved in an event like this.

"We like to bring people from the county and outside the county into our facility to show them how beautiful it is, and hopefully they'll come back to other events," Sample said.

The artwork will remain on display at the center until Feb. 28 on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on weekends during other scheduled performances.

Tagged: arts, Franklin Park Center, kids, Leesburg

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