Full Notification

Children’s 21st Annual Art Festival & Holiday Joy
At New Port Richey Recreation & Aquatic Center, Saturday, December 1

West Pasco - (Nov. 27, 2012) - The 21st annual Children’s Art Festival, sponsored by the City of New Port Richey and coordinated by the city’s Cultural Affairs Committee, is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This art festival takes place at the New Port Richey Recreation & Aquatic Center along with the Parks and Recreation department’s “Holiday Joy” event.
All the art will be on display around the pool deck. This event features several choral groups from West Pasco County schools also performing poolside. Festive holiday music creates a perfect background for viewing the work of more than 1,000 pieces of art representing nearly 20 district, home, private and charter schools throughout the Pasco County. Participants range from kindergarten to senior year in high school. At 10:30 Santa Claus will be arriving, and Boy Scout Troop #46 will be serving hot dogs, hamburgers and beverages. The Parks and Recreation Youth Advisory Board will be selling snow cones & popcorn. Complimentary coffee will be available, thanks to a generous donation from Starbuck’s Coffee (5435 US Hwy 19.)

The art show, which has been an annual staple since the early 1990s, is an event that allows children to express themselves through creative thinking, and display their artistic talents. Beginning with youngsters in kindergarten, it is thrilling to observe how the talent grows as each grade level progresses through school all the way to high school. Children can do amazing things with good art teachers showing them how to think “outside the box,” as they learn to express their perspective of the world through creative design and various art media.

The arts are not only a fun and creative outlet for students, but have also been shown to contribute to educational and social development. According to the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, “At-risk youth participating in the arts increased ability to communicate effectively, improved ability to work on tasks from start to finish, improved attitudes towards school, and decreased frequency of delinquent behavior and court referrals.”

Prizes are awarded, including a Mayor’s Award for elementary, middle and high school winners. Also awarded is the Cultural Affairs Committee Best of Show selection, made by the Cultural Affairs Committee members. Participating schools are also acknowledged for encouraging their art teachers and students to be a part of this annual event. The winners of the major categories will be announced to the media and posted on the Cultural Affairs Committee website at www.DiscoverNPR.com.

For details about the Children’s Art Festival, please call Derek Smith at 727-967-6726.