Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) student artists were recognized at the annual Superintendent’s Art Gallery Reception, on Monday, April 3rd, at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Administrative Center. Students received a certificate, recognition, and a photo opportunity with the Interim Superintendent Dr. Leslie C. Ricciardelli at the ceremony. In addition, their artwork is displayed digitally on the district’s website and the reception was recorded for future viewing. Leslie Loughran, TSA/Visual Arts CCPS District Specialist, and Skip Pardee, District Coordinator, Fine Arts, coordinated the event.
Sixty-five student artists were featured from 51 CCPS and public charter schools. Each art teacher in the district selects one student’s piece to represent their school at this annual show. The art is received at the district office where it is matted, labeled, framed, and will remain on display for one year. Art is returned to the student each spring when the new art is received.
Media included colored pencil, oil pastel, crayon, graphite/pencil, watercolor, ceramics, acrylic, digital design, photography, collage, and papier mâché.
Pardee, who emceed the ceremony, stated that 100% of CCPS elementary students receive art and music education, while 51% of middle and high school students are taking an art elective at any given time. A fine arts elective (art, music, or drama) is required for high school graduation with a traditional diploma.
In addition to students and family members, the reception was attended by several principals and school board members Tim Moshier and Jerry Rutherford.
Since the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Administrative Center opened in 2002, it has been a tradition to host a student art show sponsored by the Superintendent in the lobby of the building. Additional student art, part of the permanent collection, is displayed throughout the building in hallways and elevator lobbies. Initially, one piece of 2-D art was collected from each K-12 public school, but the show has grown to include 3-D and digital art as well as art from the public charter schools.
To view the recorded ceremony, where each student’s art is featured while they accepted their certificate, click here.
Click on the gallery image and then use the arrows to see additional photos.