CSUN Hosting 16th Annual High School Art Invitational
The 16th Annual High School Art Invitational is on display now through Jan. 26 in California State University Northridge’s Art Galleries. The event showcases student and faculty art from 37 San Fernando Valley high schools.
“This community event gives high school students an opportunity to show their work in a professional gallery,” said Michelle Giacopuzzi, exhibitions coordinator. “It can be used on their resumes if they are inclined to continue working in the art field.”
Each school is allowed to display up to six pieces of student art. Giacopuzzi estimates 240 student pieces occupy the Main Gallery. The student artists use various mediums ranging from oil paintings to digital graphic design. More than 30 faculty pieces are featured in the West Gallery.
“Many of these teachers are graduates of our CSUN art education department,” Giacopuzzi said.
A closing reception for the exhibition will be held on Jan. 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. with refreshments and a performance by the CSUN Department of Music’s Masanga Marimba.
“The invitational is a great way to showcase young talent at the higher education level,” said Alydia Adamczyk, an El Camino Real High School visual arts teacher. “I’ve been on it from its first year and have witnessed how hyped the kids are when they see their work in the gallery.”
Adamczyk also noted the benefit for CSUN educators in seeing what is being done at the high school level.
The following high schools will be participating: Arleta, Birmingham Community Charter, Bishop Alemany, Campbell Hall, Chaminade College Preparatory, Chatsworth, Concordia, Amelia Earhart, El Camino Real Charter, Faith Baptist, Granada Hills Charter, Grover Cleveland, Harvard Westlake, Heritage Christian, Highland Hall, James Monroe, John H. Francis Polytechnic, Louisville, Milken Community, New Community Jewish, North Hollywood, North Valley Charter Academy, Northridge Academy, Notre Dame, Reseda, Sherman Oaks CES, Sierra Canyon, Stoney Point, Sylmar, The Buckley School, Ulysses S. Grant, Valley Alternative, Van Nuys, Verdugo Hills, Viewpoint School, William H. Taft and William T. Aggeler.
Not only does the event benefit the direct participants, but it also benefits the art and arts education communities, Giacopuzzi said.
“I hear from many high school art teachers that it is useful to them to see what other schools are doing and perhaps use this information for their own curriculum,” she said.