Photos courtesy of the city of Peoria
Peoria Mayor Jason Beck and the city council celebrated 23 young artists from the Peoria Unified School District spanning kindergarten to eighth grade who participated in the 12th exhibition of the city of Peoria’s Young Artists Program.
“Public art enriches the quality of life for residents, visitors, and businesses by creating spaces that invite contemplation, while evoking a sense of community,” says Arts, Culture, and Library Services Director Marylou Stephens. “Through a diverse and vibrant collection of public art, lively theatre, and festival offerings, Peoria is proud to foster a strong arts culture.”
The young artists program was created in 2016 as an opportunity to engage students interested in the arts, while bringing attention to the value that art brings to a community. The latest exhibition was on display in Peoria City Hall from Nov. 1, 2022, through Feb. 7. Students were honored with the framing of their personal artwork, and a certificate of recognition for their creative contributions at the Feb. 7 Peoria City Council Meeting.
The West Valley Art Museum (WVAM), located in Peoria City Hall, selected one student’s art to have on continued display near the museum through March. Whitney Sharp, a fifth grader at Oakwood Elementary, was awarded with this distinct honor.
The WVAM is free to attend and is open Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, contact WVAM at 623-972-0635 or wvam.org.
