Students in CFBISD are letting their creativity shine this month by showcasing their artistic work at events across the community. 

On Feb. 28, the Fine Arts Department kicked off National Youth Art Month (YAM) with an annual opening reception at Carrollton Regional Medical Center. Artwork created by talented elementary through high school students from every CFBISD campus was represented. More than 250 students, teachers, parents, administrators, board members and community members came to celebrate the event. The artwork will be displayed at the medical center until March 19 for public viewing. 

“Our artists receive many opportunities throughout the year to share their talent and our faculty work tirelessly to support and mentor them,” said Dawn Valentine, Coordinator of Fine Arts.  “Together, our teachers and students do really remarkable things.”

National Youth Art Month (YAM), promoted by The Council for Art Education (CFAE) is an annual event typically held in the month of March. The Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) is a leader in YAM events by sponsoring a variety of programs that celebrate art.

During YAM, CFBISD also participated in TAES’s Big Art Day on March 2. Big Art Day was created to raise awareness of art education as a creative force throughout communities. 

There were seven events happening across the district during Big Art Day including:

• Artwork from Creekview HS students displayed at CFBISD board meeting
• Farmers Branch City Hall Art Show featuring work from students at Farmers Branch ES, McLaughlin-Strickland ES, Stark ES, Field MS, and Turner HS (show on display until April 24) 
• Two guest artist presentations at Central ES and Polk MS
• Painted rocks installation placed by Fred Lockwood at the Historical Park - rocks painted by students from Kent ES, McKamy ES, Thompson ES, Field MS, Perry MS, Polk MS, and Creekview HS
• Pinwheels for Peace installed at Blanton ES, Carrollton ES, Country Place ES, Kent ES, Rainwater ES, Riverchase ES, Rosemeade ES, Thompson ES, and Perry MS
• YAM art show at Carrollton Regional Medical Center (show on display until March 19)

“I am so fortunate to work in a district and community that supports the arts,” Valentine said.

To learn more about fine arts in CFBISD, please visit the fine arts website.