Youth Art Month at the Portland Museum of Art

NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Kristen Levesque
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
(207) 775-6148, ext. 3223
klevesque@portlandmuseum.org
For release: Immediate
February 5, 2010

PORTLAND MUSEUM OF ART CELEBRATES
YOUTH ART MONTH WITH STUDENT EXHIBITION
(Portland, Maine) In celebration of National Youth Art Month during the month of March, the Portland Museum of Art, in collaboration with the Maine Art Education Association (MAEA), has organized an exhibition of artwork created by Maine art students. This year celebrates the 30th anniversary of Youth Art Month Exhibitions in Maine, and the 16th annual exhibition at the Museum. The Museum’s exhibition, running from February 27 through April 4, 2010, will showcase more than 100 works of art by students throughout the state, from elementary school through high school. All participating students will receive certificates of recognition. An exhibition celebration will be held at the Museum on Saturday, March 6, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Admission is free to the public and refreshments will be served.
National Youth Art Month is an annual observance each March to emphasize the value of art education and to encourage public support for quality school art programs. The focus of this month is to convey to the public that art education develops self-discipline, self-esteem, and a sense of pride in self-expression. Youth Art Month has been observed nationally since 1961, and on the state level, sponsored by the Maine Art Education Association, since 1980.

MUSEUM INFORMATION

The Portland Museum of Art, Maine’s largest art museum, showcases fine and decorative arts from the 18th century to the present. From Winslow Homer and Andrew Wyeth to Pablo Picasso and Claude Monet, the Museum features three centuries of art and architecture. The Museum is located at Seven Congress Square in downtown Portland. Hours are: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday. Memorial Day through Columbus Day, the Museum is open on Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Museum admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students with I.D., $4 for youth ages 6 to 17, and children under 6 are free. The Museum is free on Friday evenings from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., made possible through the generous support of L.L.Bean. No admission is required to visit the Museum Café and Store. For more information, call (207) 775-6148 or visit portlandmuseum.org.

Jacqueline Richardson
Marketing and Public Relations Assistant
Portland Museum of Art
Seven Congress Square
Portland, ME 04101
(207) 775-6148, ext. 3224
Visit the Museum at http://www.portlandmuseum.org/


Coming to Portland to visit the museum?  The Eastland Park Hotel is located directly across the street from the Portland Museum of Art, book our Museum Package that includes tickets to the museum and breakfast.  Live local and going to visit the museum, stop by 157 Cafe for Breakfast or Dinner or Top of The East for lunch or Drinks.  For more information about the Eastland Park Hotel or to make your reservation visit us online http://www.eastlandparkhotel.com/ or call us 207-775-5411