Youth art at Expo NM

The Metro Youth Art Exhibit, an annual showcase of award-winning works of art created by Albuquerque Public Schools high school art students, is open in the Fine Arts Gallery at Expo New Mexico.

Exhibition hours are 1-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays and 3-6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays through March 22.

Metro is sponsored by the APS Fine Arts program with support from the APS Education Foundation. Works of art are first judged by professional artists and then installed in a multimedia display. Selected work from talented middle school students also is displayed at the show, which is coordinated by Bethe Sailer.

Among the awards presented to artists is the city of Albuquerque’s Gordon Church Purchase Award, given to four high school artists. Purchased work is displayed in various city venues and is added to the permanent collection of the city of Albuquerque’s Public Art program.

Ribbon place awards and honorable mentions were presented for each of 17 categories, as well as Merit Awards provided by local merchants, individuals and arts organizations.

Selected pieces from the Metro Youth Art Exhibit are now offered for sale at A is for Art!, the annual fundraiser sponsored by the APS Education Foundation to benefit both the foundation, the APS Fine Arts program, and the APS high school visual art programs. This year’s event will be held in late October; the date and venue are to be announced.

Admission to the Fine Arts Gallery is free. Paid parking is available at Expo New Mexico.