Art in Community How WBCA Cultivates Emerging Artists from A Young Age By Cynthia Maya Anyone who has taken classes at White Bear Center for the Arts (WBCA) can attest to the Center's spirit of nourishing imagination and cultivating creativity in every artist. And now, WCBA is extending this creative spirit to the youth. Young artists have always had a place at WBCA. Back in 1969, when WBCA was still known as the White Bear Arts Council, they hosted a yearly Youth Art show in the spring to feature artwork from public and parochial schools in the area. For nearly 40 years, the annual WriteNow! High School Writing Contest has been a staple at WBCA, inviting high school writers to submit original literary pieces. Nine years ago, the High School Visual Art Contest joined the tribe of youth exhibitions to celebrate the artwork of students in grades 9-12 in the Northeast Metro Region of the Twin Cities. The high school competitions will look a little different this By Cynthia Maya We've gotten a small taste of summer these last few weeks but it'll soon be here in full swing and kids will be out of school. It'll be a time for younger artists-in- training to have a chance to delve into creativity with WBCA's Imagine Art Youth Summer Camp. In the past few years, Imagine Art has evolved exponentially from the fledgling program it started as. Up until 2023, WBCA had been offering youth classes à la carte during the summer, but since last year's change to a camp program with week long camps, registrations have quadrupled along with the freedom, creativity and Jess Olson, 2023 High School Visual Arts Contest winner time around as WBCA plans on integrating the two shows. "We've slowly been inching towards uniting the two, WBCA Exhibitions Manager Karna Holub said. "This year, we're just taking a bigger step" Last year's venture to combine the shows was an early version of a hybrid exhibition with visual arts in the Ford Family Gallery and writing in the Exhibition Hall. "But it still felt separate." said WBCA Creative Services Director Sara Nephew, and the receptions were separate. This year, the high school shows will have a joint exhibition and community reception leaving WBCA with the fun challenge of finding a way to visually incorporate writing into the exhibition. "That might be as a decal Looking ahead to Imagine Art exploration that it offers kids. This year's Imagine Art offerings will give students endless creative possibilities. Students are split by grade level between rising 1st through 5th graders, and rising 6th through 8th graders and can be registered for a week of mornings, afternoons, or both. As more and more art programs are cut from schools, this is an outlet for them to have whether they're just starting out in art or not," Katie Jackson, Youth Development & Outreach Manager, said. This outlook has changed WBCA's potential for youth classes as they hope to grow their offerings throughout Upcoming events the year. "Previously, we focused more on summer classes or the summer camp aspect," Katie said, "but we're trying to up our number of classes not only for the younger kids, but the teens too-all year long As the youth programs, including Imagine Art, grow, the core mission stays the same. "We just want art accessible to everyone no matter where they're from or their background." Katie said, "whether they love art or they just want to dabble." Katie said she dreams of incorporating programming for homeschool families, and scout troops, and making things much "more affordable, more achievable. and more graspable." The Music of Patsy Cline with Joyann Parker Mick Sterling Presents: A Billy Joel State of The Hanif Performing Arts Center Mind The Hanif Performing Arts Center March 23 at 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM This spectacular tribute concert is a powerful testament of the incredible work of Billy Joel including such hits as "Piano Man." "Uptown Girl" "New York State of Mind," and many more. March 24 at 2:00 PM In this powerful stage performance, Joyann Parker and her seasoned band showcase the most popular and best-loved of Patsy's songs, including "Walking After Midnight," "Sweet Dreams" "Crazy" and more. on the wall or a recording of them reading, as a way to be more visual too, Karna said. The high school shows have always taken students seriously as artists, offering cash prizes and feedback from professional artists. "It's all about giving young artists a platform to show their work, celebrate it and hear professionals critique it, Sara said. Not to mention the tangible rewards, students winning cash prizes for their writing has even encouraged some to become professional writers. "It raises the bar for them, Karna said. She notes that a student from a previous year's High School Visual Arts show was accepted into Northern Lights this year. That just amazes me," she said. Between the integration of the new youth exhibition, Plein Air Jr., the launch of Studio Repose Literary Magazine, and the Studio Repose Internship Program in the last year. Sara said, "we're really increasing our opportunities to be a part in shaping the future here." High School Contests Community Reception & Award Ceremony White Bear Center for the Arts April 25, 2024, 6:00-8:30 PM Celebrate the talent and expression of young artists. Everyone is invited to come see the High School Visual Arts and WriteNow! Exhibition featuring artwork and writing by students in grades 9-12 from the Northeast Metro of the Twin Cities. You can find a full list of classes in WBCA's quarterly printed catalog and online at WhiteBearArts.org/classes. Art in Community How WBCA Cultivates Emerging Artists from A Young Age By Cynthia Maya Anyone who has taken classes at White Bear Center for the Arts ( WBCA ) can attest to the Center's spirit of nourishing imagination and cultivating creativity in every artist . And now , WCBA is extending this creative spirit to the youth . Young artists have always had a place at WBCA . Back in 1969 , when WBCA was still known as the White Bear Arts Council , they hosted a yearly Youth Art show in the spring to feature artwork from public and parochial schools in the area . For nearly 40 years , the annual WriteNow ! High School Writing Contest has been a staple at WBCA , inviting high school writers to submit original literary pieces . Nine years ago , the High School Visual Art Contest joined the tribe of youth exhibitions to celebrate the artwork of students in grades 9-12 in the Northeast Metro Region of the Twin Cities . The high school competitions will look a little different this By Cynthia Maya We've gotten a small taste of summer these last few weeks but it'll soon be here in full swing and kids will be out of school . It'll be a time for younger artists - in- training to have a chance to delve into creativity with WBCA's Imagine Art Youth Summer Camp . In the past few years , Imagine Art has evolved exponentially from the fledgling program it started as . Up until 2023 , WBCA had been offering youth classes à la carte during the summer , but since last year's change to a camp program with week long camps , registrations have quadrupled along with the freedom , creativity and Jess Olson , 2023 High School Visual Arts Contest winner time around as WBCA plans on integrating the two shows . " We've slowly been inching towards uniting the two , WBCA Exhibitions Manager Karna Holub said . " This year , we're just taking a bigger step " Last year's venture to combine the shows was an early version of a hybrid exhibition with visual arts in the Ford Family Gallery and writing in the Exhibition Hall . " But it still felt separate . " said WBCA Creative Services Director Sara Nephew , and the receptions were separate . This year , the high school shows will have a joint exhibition and community reception leaving WBCA with the fun challenge of finding a way to visually incorporate writing into the exhibition . " That might be as a decal Looking ahead to Imagine Art exploration that it offers kids . This year's Imagine Art offerings will give students endless creative possibilities . Students are split by grade level between rising 1st through 5th graders , and rising 6th through 8th graders and can be registered for a week of mornings , afternoons , or both . As more and more art programs are cut from schools , this is an outlet for them to have whether they're just starting out in art or not , " Katie Jackson , Youth Development & Outreach Manager , said . This outlook has changed WBCA's potential for youth classes as they hope to grow their offerings throughout Upcoming events the year . " Previously , we focused more on summer classes or the summer camp aspect , " Katie said , " but we're trying to up our number of classes not only for the younger kids , but the teens too - all year long As the youth programs , including Imagine Art , grow , the core mission stays the same . " We just want art accessible to everyone no matter where they're from or their background . " Katie said , " whether they love art or they just want to dabble . " Katie said she dreams of incorporating programming for homeschool families , and scout troops , and making things much " more affordable , more achievable . and more graspable . " The Music of Patsy Cline with Joyann Parker Mick Sterling Presents : A Billy Joel State of The Hanif Performing Arts Center Mind The Hanif Performing Arts Center March 23 at 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM This spectacular tribute concert is a powerful testament of the incredible work of Billy Joel including such hits as " Piano Man . " " Uptown Girl " " New York State of Mind , " and many more . March 24 at 2:00 PM In this powerful stage performance , Joyann Parker and her seasoned band showcase the most popular and best - loved of Patsy's songs , including " Walking After Midnight , " " Sweet Dreams " " Crazy " and more . on the wall or a recording of them reading , as a way to be more visual too , Karna said . The high school shows have always taken students seriously as artists , offering cash prizes and feedback from professional artists . " It's all about giving young artists a platform to show their work , celebrate it and hear professionals critique it , Sara said . Not to mention the tangible rewards , students winning cash prizes for their writing has even encouraged some to become professional writers . " It raises the bar for them , Karna said . She notes that a student from a previous year's High School Visual Arts show was accepted into Northern Lights this year . That just amazes me , " she said . Between the integration of the new youth exhibition , Plein Air Jr. , the launch of Studio Repose Literary Magazine , and the Studio Repose Internship Program in the last year . Sara said , " we're really increasing our opportunities to be a part in shaping the future here . " High School Contests Community Reception & Award Ceremony White Bear Center for the Arts April 25 , 2024 , 6 : 00-8 : 30 PM Celebrate the talent and expression of young artists . Everyone is invited to come see the High School Visual Arts and WriteNow ! Exhibition featuring artwork and writing by students in grades 9-12 from the Northeast Metro of the Twin Cities . You can find a full list of classes in WBCA's quarterly printed catalog and online at WhiteBearArts.org/classes .