Student Artworks 'Wow' U.S. Department of Education

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - January 13, 2010) - The National PTA and U.S. Department of Education will showcase award winning artwork from over 40 students nationwide in a special exhibit celebrating National PTA's Reflections Program and its long-standing commitment to providing opportunities for children to receive recognition for their artistic ingenuity.

Selected from the 2008-2009 Reflections Program, themed "Wow!," the exhibit will open on January 15th at 11 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Department's headquarters (LBJ Education Building) in Washington, D.C.

"These nationally award-winning works that will grace our headquarters' lobby attest to the unique qualities of the arts as part of a complete education for all students -- the expression of profound ideas in nonverbal ways; the engagement of our bodies, voices and hands; and opportunities to both experience and create things of beauty. The exhibit is a powerful reminder that the arts prepare us for a world in which imagination can be more powerful than logic, and that the capacity to conceive an idea can be as powerful as the ability to implement it," said Pearson.

National representatives attending this year's event include: Scott Pearson, the Department's Associate Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement; Charles "Chuck" J. Saylors, National PTA President; Byron Garrett, National PTA Chief Executive Officer; Cindy Dearing, National PTA Reflections Program Chair; Tichina Arnold, guest speaker, actress, and National PTA Advisory Board Member; and dozens of other arts education advocates and leaders from across the country. The ceremony will also feature special performances by student award winners.

"We commend the U.S. Department of Education for furthering our mission to recognize students' artistic achievements at a national level," said Saylors.

"As we see more schools continue to cut funding for the arts, it is important that we remind schools and families how the arts help children develop valuable learning tools that are essential to their education. That's why the National PTA's Reflections Program continues to encourage children to tap into their imaginations by creatively expressing themselves through the arts."

Hosted at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Department of Education's Student Art Exhibit Program features visual art created by students in U.S. and international schools, and provides students and teachers an opportunity to display creative work from the classroom in a notable public space to effectively promote art as a tool for education and learning for all. To visit the "Wow!" exhibit at the U.S. Department of Education, contact Marilyn Joyner at 202-401-1669 or at marilyn.joyner@ed.gov.

The exhibit will be on display for public viewing through February 19, 2010. Click here or visit www.pta.org/reflections to view some of the artworks to be exhibited.

About National PTA

National PTA comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.

About the Reflections Program

In its 40-year history, the Reflections Program has encouraged millions of students across the nation and in American schools overseas to explore their artistic talents. PTA believes that all children deserve a quality arts education and encourages students to pursue artistic expression through participation in its annual Reflections Program. The program offers students the opportunity to create works of art for fun and recognition. Students in preschool through grade 12 are encouraged to submit works of art in six arts areas: dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography, and the visual arts (which include art forms such as drawing, painting, printmaking, and collage). For more information about the National Reflections program please visit, www.PTAreflections.org

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