Reception set for young artists

A change in venue has limited the number of pieces able to be displayed.

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — An artist’s reception will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Slippery Rock University for the 191 area pupils who have artwork hanging in the 19th Annual Very Special Arts Exhibit.

The reception will be held at the Boozel Dining Hall and is open to the public.

The exhibit features works of pupils in kindergarten through the 12th grade from the 27 school districts in Mercer, Lawrence and Butler counties.

Very Special Arts (www.vsarts.org) is an international nonprofit organization affiliated with the education programs of the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where “all people with disabilities learn through, participate in and enjoy the arts.”

“This year, only the artwork that was selected as ‘Juror’s Choice’ will be exhibited at Boozel,” said Virginia Moore, Director of Arts and Education programs at Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV in Grove City. “The exhibit is usually held at Grove City College where we can hang over 600 pieces of artwork. Due to renovations there, we had to find another venue for this year, and Slippery Rock University graciously offered space in Boozel Dining Hall.”

The exhibit, sponsored by Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV (which provides education and support services to the public schools in the three counties), is supported by McDonald’s of London, Pa., a community involvement grant from the Pennsylvania State Education Association and a donation from the MIU IV Education Association.

Pupils participating are from the following school districts: Butler Area, Commodore Perry, Ellwood City Area, Greenville Area, Grove City Area, Hermitage, Jamestown Area, Pennsylvania George Junior Republic, Lakeview, Mercer Area, Mohawk Area, Moniteau, New Castle Area, Reynolds Area, Seneca Valley, Sharon City, Sharpsville Area, Shenango Area, Slippery Rock Area, South Butler Co., Union Area, West Middlesex Area, Wilmington Area. Also exhibiting are pupils from Butler Vocational-Technical School, Clarence Brown Community School, Mars Home for Youth, Mercer Community School and New Castle Community School.

Visitors may view the artwork at Boozel Dining Hall from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.