Out & About: Student artists display talents in annual SAMA show

Shirley McMarlin
Monday, March 2, 2020 12:01 a.m. | Monday, March 2, 2020 12:01 a.m.

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Photos: Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

Exhibiting artist Bevan Stairs, 12, a sixth-grade student at Baggaley Elementary School joins her mother, Paula Stairs, and father, Brian Stairs, for a photo during the opening reception.

Photos: Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

(from left), Exhibiting artist, Lucas Gross, 11, a fifth-grade student at Baggaley Elementary School, (work shown center), joins his sister, Lucy Gross, 15, of Latrobe, for a photo during the opening reception for "Artists of the 21st Century", held at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art Ligonier Valley on Saturday afternoon, February 29, 2020.

Photos: Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

Exhibiting artist Padraig John, 11, a sixth-grade student at Valley School of Ligonier (work shown), joins his art teacher, Kelly Vallely (left), and his mother, Blythe John of Saltsburg.

Photos: Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

From left: Exhibiting artist Piper Anke, 13, an eighth-grade student at Valley School of Ligonier (work shown), joins her mother, Jodee Harris.

Photos: Kim Stepinsky | For the Tribune-Review

(from left), Andrew Lazarchik, of Latrobe, and Stephanie Penn, of Latrobe, join their son, exhibiting artist, Jeremy Lazarchik, 11, a sixth-grade student at Latrobe Elementary School, for a photo during the opening reception for "Artists of the 21st Century", held at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art Ligonier Valley on Saturday afternoon, February 29, 2020.

For Kristin Miller, the “Artists of the 21st Century” exhibition at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley is “my passion.”

Speaking at the Feb. 29 opening reception, Miller, the site coordinator, said the annual showcase of student art helps keep art alive in area schools — and making art also helps the students develop skills in other curriculum areas, including math and science.

“I love talking to them about how they come up with their ideas,” she said. “They’re so creative.”

Running through April 18, the exhibition includes students from schools that participate in SAMA’s Arts in Education or Artist in Residence programs. Featured school districts this year include Greater Latrobe, Hempfield Area and Ligonier Valley, along with Valley School of Ligonier.

Representing elementary through high school, the artists have created works in various media, from collage to print to sculpture to painting.

A second student exhibition is currently on display at SAMA’s Loretto location.

Among artists seen at the reception were Bevan Stairs with grandparents Jess and Joan Stairs, Nevaeh Yingling with parents Nicole and Dustin and brother Gavin; Ragan Hall with mom Anne and grandparents Nancy and Don Jones; Carter Ward with parents Lisa and Durrell and brother Cain; Jeremy Lazarchik with mom Stephanie Penn, sister Sophia Lazarchik and grandparents Carolyn Starkey and Mark Nosko; Kaylee Snyder with parents Gabriel and Kristen, brother Logan and grandfather Carey Snyder; and Isla Goddard with parents Sommer Toffle and Barrett Goddard and siblings Bowie and Tala.