Dallas ISD’s Youth Art Month is back and better than ever

Youth Art Month is back and in person this year, following a shutdown in 2020 and a virtual art show last year due to the pandemic.

With more than 600 pieces, this year’s exhibit, which runs from now until May 7, showcases a collection of student artwork and, for the first time ever, features teacher art work as well. Monica Hayslip, director of Visual Art, says another new aspect of this year’s event is that several items are for sale and earnings go directly to the student or teacher. 

“I think whenever you come in and look at a piece of artwork in person you can see the different marks, the different materials, the size, the scale, and you get to read the painting more closely than you would have had it been a photograph,” Hayslip said. “This year, we included artist statements on most of the labels so you get to read from the child’s point of view, what they were trying to convey to you as a viewer. It’s great for exhibit attendees to practice visual literacy skills, by interacting with artworks.”

Ashna Havlick, a sophomore at School for the Talented and Gifted at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center, is one of the many students whose artwork was featured. She expressed how after taking Art I last year over Zoom, being back on campus allowed her to have a more hands-on experience this year in Art II. Her art teacher, Frank Piccirillo, taught the class how to use different media including ceramics and different painting techniques such as watercolor and acrylic. 

Ashna’s painting, which can be found at the exhibit, was created on white paper using acrylic, and she says it took about a month and a half to complete. “My art piece is called ‘Safe Space.’ It’s a painting I did about candy, and it kind of has a double entendre. It reminds me a lot of my early childhood which was very carefree. Also, food can be very comforting for a lot of people, especially me, which is not always a good thing, but that’s why I named it that. I compiled it out of all my personal favorite candies.”

Art programs are continuing to thrive in Dallas ISD, which was named a District of Distinction by the Texas Art Education Association in 2021– one of only 40 out of 1,110 districts across the state. There are currently about 285 art teachers working with Dallas ISD, and by next year, Dallas ISD’s Visual and Performing Arts department plans to have an art program in every school.

The 2022 Youth Art Month District Art Show 

April 16 – May 7

Dallas Contemporary 

Tuesday – Saturday, 11 AM to 5 PM and Sunday, 12 to 5 PM

www.dallascontemporary.org/visit

161 Glass St. 

Free parking and admission