When creativity is encouraged, it knows no bounds, transcending human limits and resulting in vibrant works of art.
Showcasing many such pieces created by student artists with disabilities, an exhibit titled “Outside the Lines: Collaborative Art from Special Day Classrooms,” will be on display through Oct. 4 at the Youth in Arts Gallery in San Rafael.
The artwork comes from nearly 25 classrooms participating in Marin County’s Arts Unite Us program.
“It’s a wonderful, beautiful exhibit with a wide range of work,” said Cathy Bowman, one of Youth in Arts’ instructors. “It really speaks to the process of the artist. You can tell students are really engaged in what they’re making. They’re pretty fearless in their approach, really exploring their creativity.
“It’s exciting to be part of this program,” she said. “I’m thankful every day I work here.”
The YIA gallery is one of the few venues in the nation solely devoted to showcasing children’s art, Bowman said.
Founded in 1971, Youth in Arts has been considered the leading arts education nonprofit in the North Bay, bringing visual and performing arts to K-12 students. And since 1981 Youth in Arts has been an affiliate of Very Special Arts (VSA), an international organization on arts, education and disability, which was founded by former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, Jean Kennedy Smith.
In addition to the “Outside the Lines” exhibit, the Youth in Arts gallery will also host a “state of the arts” event at 5 p.m. Sept. 13 to update the community on progress in its year-old Arts Education Plan, celebrate National Arts in Education Week and bid farewell to YIA’s executive director, Miko Lee, who has been at the helm for 13 years.
The YIA Gallery is at 917 C St., San Rafael. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.