Congratulations to Kate Morrill, photography teacher at Towson High.  Ms. Morrill’s photograph is featured in the Urbanite Magazine, May 2008.  http://www/urbanitebaltimore.com/sub.cfm?
issueID=60&sectionID=4&articleID=925

Congratulations to Alyssa S., Carver Center for the Arts, for being selected as one of three winners in the United States in the Unilever International Schools Art Project 2007/2008.  Her photograph, titled “When Two Worlds Collide,” traveled to the Tate Gallery in London for the international competition.

Congratulations to our art students who have their work on display in County Executive Jim Smith’s Office.  The artwork will be exhibited until the end of the school year.

Gayle C., Perry Hall Middle
Henry D., Hampton Elementary
Emily B., Perry Hall Middle
Misha B, Carver Center for the Arts
Summer W., Cockeysville Middle
Marie C., Cockeysville Middle
Margo C., Cockeysville Middle
Jake W., Towson High
Alyssa S., Carver Center for the Arts
Olivia T., Catonsville High
Juliana B., Carver Center
Coleman B., Towson High
Rebecca C., Towson High
Robbie M., Woodlawn High
	Painting by Juliana B., Carver Center

Congratulations to our art students who were recently recognized in the Maryland Artist Equity Foundation Annual Scholarship Program:

Jordan S., Carver Center for the Arts
Rodney J., Patapsco High and Center for the Arts
Corianda D., Hereford High
Connie A., Carver Center for the Arts
Mary Katherine M., Hereford High
Valentina J., Carver Center for the Arts
Victoria K., Carver Center for the Arts
Jake W., Towson High
Erik P., Towson High
Kathleen S., Carver Center for the Arts
Anthony P., Patapsco High and Center for the Arts
Laiba M., Dulaney High

The Maryland Artist Equity Foundation recognizes the top twenty-five senior art students in the state (BCPS has 12 of the 25 award winners).  MAEF awards scholarships and encourages these students to pursue advanced education and seek careers in the visual arts.

Photograph by Rodney J., Patapsco High & CFA

On Sunday, March 2, 2008, Baltimore County Publics Schools joined with our partners at the Walters Art Museum to kick off the celebration of Youth Art Month. Students, parents, teachers and community gathered to celebrate "Art in Our Schools". The event was well attended as these young artists were recognized for their talents.

Art education develops self-esteem, appreciation of the work of others, self-expression, cooperation with others, and critical thinking skills, skills vital to the success of our future leaders --- our children.

In "The Nation and the Arts," a Presidential briefing paper prepared by the Independent Committee on Arts Policy, it was stated:

"Well-developed programs of making and studying art serve many functions. They help students better articulate their perceptions and shape coherent responses to their experiences. When children learn to appreciate form and color...when they learn the importance of fashioning their own images of the world around them, they achieve greater discipline and self confidence. Further, the arts have extrinsic public value as they are increasingly important to this nation's economy."

Congratulations to art students at Parkville Middle School who are celebrating Youth Art Month by creating a huge mural made out of POST IT NOTES!

Congratulations to our youngARTS finalists!!  Approximately 6,000 - 8,000 students register for youngARTS each year.  150 students are selected as youngARTS finalists and brought to Miami for youngART week featuring master classes, showcase performances, exhibitions, enrichment programs, and final adjudications.  It is from this pool that nominations will be made for Presidential Scholars in the Arts.  We are very proud to announce that of the 37 finalists in the visual arts in the entire nation, 7 are from Baltimore County Public Schools!

Congratulations to:
Cinematic Arts: Alex L., Carver Center
Photography: Alexandra B., Carver Center
Visual Arts: Justin B., Carver Center
Corianda D., Hereford High
Victoria K., Carver Center
Jason K., Carver Center
Katie M., Hereford High

Painting by Katie M., Hereford High

Congratulations to Cecilia Terlizzi, Art Department Chairman for Sudbrook Middle Magnet School.  Ms. Terlizzi was named the National Junior Art Honor Society Sponsor of the Year by the National Art Education Association.  The Sudbrook NJAHS, under Ms. Terlizzi’s direction, has completed many artful projects to beautify the Sudbrook school and community.  The members also held an art auction where they raised and donated $500 to “Operation We Care,” a relief effort for the art teachers and their classes affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Congratulations also to Linda Popp, Visual Arts Coordinator.  Ms. Popp was named the Eastern Region Art Educator of the Year by the National Art Education Association.  Both Linda and Cecilia will receive their awards at the NAEA Conference in New Orleans in March.

Congratulations to Rob Miller, Carver Center for Arts and Technology, for being named the MIAD/NAEA Creative Educator for 2008.  Mr. Miller will be receiving his award at the National Art Education Association Conference in New Orleans on March 27, 2008.  He is one of two secondary teachers selected in the nation who has demonstrated excellence in teaching that incorporates design and technology in their curriculum.  As a benefit for receiving this award, Mr. Miller will receive a full tuition scholarship to the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Creative Educators Institute this summer.  In addition, one of his students will receive a full scholarship to MIAD’s Pre-College MAJORS Program. 

Congratulations to the students and teachers from Dulaney High, Sudbrook Middle, and Woodlawn Middle for entering the “Love Your Tree” contest sponsored by Shepherd Pratt.  The poster contest was designed to create awareness that we need to take care of our bodies and live healthy productive lives.  Mr. Vernon Fains was honored for having the most entries from Woodlawn Middle School.

Congratulations to the students and teachers from Hereford Middle and High Schools who currently have work exhibited at the Corporate offices for Susquehanna Bank in Hunt Valley.

Mrs. Stacy Aghalarov, Pot Spring Elementary School, is working on a large mural after school with her students that will be mounted on the outside wall for the community to enjoy.  The students are earning community service credit by taking part in this project.

Good Food... Good Friends... Good Cause!

Many thanks to all who attended the "Beach Party", sponsored by the RATS (retired Art Teachers) on Saturday, February 9, 2008. The event was held to benefit The Summer Art Enrichment Camp. We also want to thank all who donated items for the silent auction.

Congratulations to Grace Hulse from Orems Elementary School for successfully completing National Board Certification.  Ms. Hulse is our first elementary art teacher to become a National Board Certified Teacher.  National Board Certification is an extremely rigorous process and is the highest level of professional development offered to our teachers at a national level.

While Ms. Hulse is our first elementary art teacher to become a NBCT, Linda McConaughy became our first secondary art NBCT ten years ago.  Last year she went through the recertification process and was again successful. Ms. McConaughy teaches at Parkville Middle School.  Congratulations to both for offering our students such incredible art programs!

Congratulations to the ceramic students from Patapsco High and Center for the Arts.  Under the direction of Ms. Liberty Grayek, they used their artistic skills to create and contribute the decorations on four Christmas trees for the Festival of Lights, now on display at the Cow Palace at the Timonium Fairgrounds.  Local groups/businesses decorate trees, wreaths, and gingerbread houses for this sale; proceeds go to the Kennedy Kreiger Institute.  Patapsco students learned they can use their artistic talents to contribute to the well being of children less fortunate than themselves.

Zsade F., Grade 9, Woodlawn High

Congratulations to visual arts students from Towson High, Lansdowne High, and Woodlawn High for participating in the “Mapping Their Community” project sponsored by UMBC.  UMBC Geography and Graphic Design students worked for eight weeks with seven K – 12 schools to produce maps of their communities.  The exhibit will be on display November 29 – December 21 and January 2 – 11 at UMBC in the Commons: Mezzanine and 2nd Floor, and the Fine Arts Building: Hallway Gallery, 1st Floor.  Gallery hours are 10 am – 5 pm.  The reception is November 29, 5 – 7 pm, Lobby of the Center for Art, Design and Visual Art, Fine Arts building, UMBC. 

Perry Hall Middle School's Family Arts Night at Barnes and Noble was a fantastic event.  Over 300 students and families attended. The evening included a student art exhibit, and musical performances.  Congratulations to all of the students with artwork on display.  Thank you to Perry Hall Middle School's art teachers, Charlie Heil, Molly Painter, Annie Yuill, Sarah Deacon, and team leader Michele Momenzadeh for making a memorable and enjoyable evening celebrating the arts.

Congratulations to Juan Castro, former art teacher at Towson High School, for being named the 2008 Coca-Cola Foundation Distinguished Teacher in the Arts award recipient.  Each year the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA) recognizes two teachers that have been nominated multiple times by the NFAA youngArts Program (formerly Arts Recognition and Talent Search) winners for having a profound impact on their artistic development.  This award recognizes excellence and exceptional dedication in the profession of teaching the arts.  Mr. Castro will be receiving the award during NFAA youngArts Week in Miami in January, 2008.  He is currently working on his doctorate in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Students from Carver Center for Arts and Technology, Hereford High, Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts, and Towson High were honored to have their work on display during The High School Honor Band, Chorus, and Orchestra program at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall on November 12, 2007.

Once again, Baltimore County is proud to be represented in the Treasury Exhibit in our state capitol.  The works will be on display through May 2, 2008.  Congratulations to all students included in this exhibit

Sunday, October 21, 2007 was the Baltimore County Public Schools “Project: Quality Time” at the Baltimore Museum of Art.  BCPS elementary students were invited to come together for quality time with family, friends, teachers and some great works of art.  Students sketched landscapes, recorded their responses to artworks, did a scavenger hunt finding different types of artworks, and other activities in a workbook prepared by the Visual Arts Office in collaboration with the Baltimore Museum of Art.  We hope this will become an annual event.

NAHS students from Towson High and Catonsville High volunteered to be docents for the day.

Families discussed works of art

as they made their way through the museum.

Student making sketches in his workbook.

Congratulations to our art teachers who were recognized at the Maryland Art Education Association Conference on Friday, 10/19/2007.

BCPS New Elementary Art Educator – Lori Beth Petruzzi Fawkes at Sandy Plains Elementary

BCPS New Middle School Art Educator – Stephanie Bylkas at Windsor Mill Middle

BCPS New High School Art Educator – Liberty Grayek at Patapsco High & CFA

BCPS Career Elementary Art Educator – Katie Lurz at Middlesex Elementary

BCPS Career Middle School Art Educator – Michele Momenzadeh at Perry Hall Middle

BCPS Career High School Art Educator – Craig Llewellyn at Lansdowne High

BCPS Retired Art Educator – Riselle Abrams formerly at Timber Grove Elementary

And an extra congratulations to our state award recipients (BCPS made a clean sweep)!!!!

MAEA Elementary Art Educator – Stewart Emmerich at Pleasant Plains Elementary

MAEA Middle School Art Educator – Jackie Morgan at Pine Grove Middle

MAEA High School Art Educator – Cheryl Milligan at Towson High

Congratulations to our student artists who had their work selected for the Maryland Art Education Association Student Exhibit:

Alexis W., Grade 1, Cromwell Valley Elementary
April L., Grade 5, Harford Hills Elementary
Kelly M., Grade 12, Lansdowne High
Brittany T., Grade 12, Lansdowne High
Dionetz R., Grade 4, Logan Elementary
Zoe B., Grade 5, Oakleigh Elementary  
Sandra A., Grade 12, Overlea High
Janet T., Grade 11, Overlea High
Justin C., Grade 12, Parkville High
Rebecca M., Grade 12, Parkville High
Sheila R., Grade 10, Parkville High
Rodney J., Grade 12, Patapsco High and CFA
Khali R., Grade 8, Perry Hall Middle
Monet D., Grade 8, Pine Grove Middle
Danielle H., Grade 8, Pine Grove Middle
Karala H., Grade 3, Pleasant Plains Elementary
David M., Grade 1, Sandy Plains elementary
Cori G., Grade 7, Sudbrook Middle Magnet
Logan W., Grade 7, Sudbrook Middle Magnet
Jocelyn R., Grade 11, Towson High

The students were recognized at an Awards Ceremony during the MAEA Conference on October 19, 2007 at Towson University.

Congratulations to our student artists who have their work currently on display at BWI Thurgood Marshal Airport Youth Art Gallery in the Observation Deck.  The students were recognized for their achievements at a reception Saturday, October 13, 2007.  Congratulations to: Kaitlyn K., Grade 1, Middlesex Elementary, Art teacher Katie Lurz Sydney S., Grade 5, Rodgers Forge elementary, Art teacher Kay DiLisio Students and siblings at the reception.