According to his mother, Pablo Picasso’s “first words were ‘piz, piz’, a shortening of lápiz, the Spanish word for ‘pencil.’” At eleven, Claude Monet was selling charcoal caricatures to the locals. And, at fourteen, Leonardo Da Vinci was apprenticed to the painter Andrea del Verrocchio, in one of the greatest workshops of Florence.

Starting early and finding the right guidance allowed these artists to gain immortality through their work. In the spirit of supporting the arts for youth across the United States, the Council for Art Education (CFAE) holds its annual Youth Art Month each March. This year’s national theme being ‘The Power of Art.’

Art is about expression and feeling, and since 1947, this program has helped to foster the passion of these amazing boys and girls. Want to learn more? Read on!

• Celebrating the visual arts, the CFAE welcomes all children from grades K–12 to participate. “The Youth Art Month Program emphasizes the value of art education for all children, encourages support for quality school art programs, and promotes art material safety.”
• One of the programs put on by the CFAE during the month is the State Flag Program where students are encouraged to create a flag that embodies what makes their state great. The winner’s design is made into a flag and put on display at the National Art Education Association National Convention in March.                                       
• The 2016 flag design winner is Joanna Marin, a 6th grader from North Middle School in Everett, WA! After the convention, it will be hung at the state capital building in Olympia, WA.

So, tell everyone you know and spread the word! This is a great program that has done wonders for these talented kids. The art will be displayed in Chicago at the McCormick Place Convention Center and Hilton Chicago Hotel and will be sure to generate some amazing support. If you want to get more involved and volunteer or work for this great program, get started today!