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Works-in-progress: Young artists featured in exhibit

Photo provided by Michelle Astuto Collins

Young artist Julianne Wilkerson works on a wal hanging for the second "Arts4Kids" show, taking place Friday, Sept. 4, at Progress Energy Art Gallery, in downtown New Port Richey.

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By KLINT LOWRY | The Suncoast News

Published: September 1, 2009

Updated:

NEW PORT RICHEY - Progress Energy Art Gallery director Nancy Ciesla remembers how excited and proud she felt as a girl when she won a couple of children's art contests held at the grocery store. Now that she's grown up, she can reflect on the memory with an experienced perspective and realize winning was just part of the pleasure.

"It's nice to see someone is looking at your work," Ciesla said. "I don't care how young or old you are."

More than a dozen young artists will get to have the experience of having their work displayed in a gallery show, as Progress Energy Art Gallery will present "Arts 4 Kids 2," 6 - 8 p.m. this Friday, Sept. 4.

The artwork is from a pair of four-week "Art 4 Kids" classes offered at the gallery over the summer. The gallery's front window will be filled with mobiles, while a wall in the gallery's front room will showcase wall sculptures made from polymer clay.

This is the second time the gallery has presented "Arts 4 Kids." The first was in 2007. Artist Michelle Astuto Collins taught the classes then and now.

"The kids were ecstatic," Collins recalled. They enjoyed the classes, but having a showcase at the end of the course rounded out the experience for them. Many of the students returned for this year's summer program, and they are just as excited this time around and maybe feeling a bit more like seasoned artists.

"A couple of the kids were asking if they could sell their stuff," she said.

Having a gallery showing is part of the students' overall experience.

"I don't teach them from 'the book,' " Collins said. During the eight weeks, she shows some of her techniques, but also likes to let them have freedom to find their own styles, their own identity as artists. Having an open public show takes that process further.

"It's validating their creativity," Ciesla said. It also helps connect the gallery with another segment of the community. She would like to see a portion of the gallery permanently dedicated to young artists, and programs for children offered year-round.

"I think there's a need to have that in this gallery, however it evolves," Ciesla said. "It brings the families in and it supports the child in maybe a way they don't get. It becomes a community function.

"This, hopefully, is just the beginning of a series of art classes in the community."

The "Arts 4 Kids 2" show will be open to the public, with Sweetbay Supermarket providing refreshments. Progress Energy Art Gallery is at 6231 Grand Blvd., in downtown New Port Richey. For more information, call 727-848-6500 or visit www.nprgallery.com>.

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