STUDENT ARTS EDUCATION SHOWCASED

An Arts Education exhibit, showcasing more than 70 pieces of artwork from Saskatchewan students, is being held in the Cumberland Gallery at the Legislative Building during the month of May, which is Art Education Month.

This art show is jointly sponsored by Saskatchewan Learning, in partnership with the Saskatchewan Society for Education Through Art (SSEA). Many of the students whose art is on display attended the opening of the exhibit at the Legislative Building. Saskatchewan Rivers MLA Lon Borgerson, on behlaf of Learning Minister Andrew Thomson, presented each student with a Certificate of Recognition from Saskatchewan Learning and the SSEA, as well as a congratulatory certificate from the Premier.

"This art exhibit celebrates student creativity and artistic contribution to culture and visual art in the province, and honours the excellent work done by students based on the Arts Education curriculum. These students should be very proud of their artistic talent," Learning Minister Andrew Thomson said. "This partnership exemplifies SchoolPLUS by connecting students and teachers with the province's exciting cultural and artistic community."

"Visual art is an international language and one of the first languages of a child. Visual art does not, however, teach itself and this exhibition is a tribute to the quality work done in the schools of Saskatchewan by our students and their teachers," SSEA Provincial President Grier Swerhone said.

Students whose art is on display come from the following communities: Biggar, Birch Hills, Chaplin, Creighton, Davidson, Debden, Edam, Kindersley, Laird, Lashburn, Lemburg, Lloydminster, Maple Creek, Melville, Milestone, Moosomin, Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Outlook, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Weyburn and Wolseley. Art is submitted to the SSEA by teachers from around the province to be considered and selected for this art show.

Arts education provides students with opportunities to express their ideas through visual art, dance, drama and music. Research shows that students who study the arts have higher self-esteem, higher marks, good attendance and are more active in community affairs and leadership.

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For More Information, Contact:

Jacquie McLean Learning Regina Phone: (306) 787-5609

Lori Green Saskatchewan Society for Education Through Art Saskatoon Phone: 1-800-667-7732