Local youths featured in upcoming art show and auction
Mary Beth Salatino is impressed with the talent of local youths who will be featured in an upcoming art awareness show and auction called “Who Do You Art?”
“We’re hoping the public comes out and sees the work of our talented kids. We have a lot of talented kids,” said Salatino, executive director of T.E.A.C.H., a nonprofit community organization based in Connellsville that aims to help people improve their lives.
“Who Do You Art?” will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. March 31 in the Eberly Building at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, located along Route 119 north of Uniontown. Admission is free.
Pieces are coming from students who participated in art classes offered by T.E.A.C.H., which stands for train, educate, advance, coach and help, in partnership with the Appalachian Creativity Center in Connellsville and the Phoenix Arts Center in Uniontown, Salatino said.
She explained students in kindergarten through 12th grade could participate in four different types of classes, including canvas, wooden art, clay and recycled material.
“The cost of the class was $10. The kids worked on two different pieces. They kept a piece and one piece was donated to T.E.A.C.H. for the art awareness and auction,” said Salatino. “It showcases the talent of local youths and raises funds to continue our art programming.”
Salatino said this first round of art classes began in November and is concluding in March. She said more classes will continue in late spring-early summer, using various artists throughout the community. T.E.A.C.H. is continuing its partnership with Appalachian Creativity Center for ongoing clay classes.
T.E.A.C.H. is having a busy spring as it will also coordinate a Connellsville Clean Up day and a fishing tournament.
Connellsville Clean Up is an annual event that will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 7. Participants can be individuals or groups. They will meet at Yough Park where they will be given garbage bags and gloves.
“If you have a preference, you can take an area. If not, we can assign them an area,” said Salatino, who noted this will be a citywide project.
The fishing tournament is scheduled for May 26 and is called Catch for a Cause.
Salatino said participants can fish anywhere on the Youghiogheny River. Cost to participate is $20 but youths 12 and under can fish for $10. All are eligible for prizes that include cash, a white water rafting trip and various gift cards. There will also be a basket auction.
“This benefits all our initiatives: building strong communities, veterans and youth programming,” explained Salatino.
More information on T.E.A.C.H. is available at www.teachpa.org.