Art enthusiasts viewed award winning artwork from over 500 students during the two day opening of the 39th Annual K-12 Community Student Exhibition held in The Gallery @ The Lighthouse Center for the Arts. Artists, their families, teachers and the community came to honor the students at evening receptions and award ceremonies on May 6 th and 7 th.

"These delightful pieces are a testament to the creative spirit of our youth and each and every one is truly a winner," said Sonya Davis, Executive Director. "These works are selected from the entire body of art produced at each school throughout the year. The art instructors select the very best from each grade to be hung in our galleries."

The exhibition celebrates the future of the arts in our community and is an opportunity to show support for young emerging artists. The works are submitted from public and private K-12 students from Palm Beach and Martin Counties and will be on display until May 28 th.

Awards were given to the young artists for works which stand out even in this premier group. Along with the Lighthouse Center for the Arts, the GFWC Jupiter-Tequesta Junior Woman's Club, the Jupiter Women's Club, and several community minded individuals bestowed a total of 52 awards for individual and group efforts. Top awards for Best in Show given Sean Guenette, a Jupiter High School junior and the K-4 th grade Group Project by the students at Jupiter Christian School.

This spirited exhibition is comprised of individual and group projects in all media including painting, drawing, clay, photography, printmaking, and mural painting. The exhibition is a striking testament to the talent and diversity of area students, and signifies an exciting gateway for those hoping for a fulfilling career in the arts.

For many student artists, this show is their first opportunity to connect with an audience outside the classroom. This exhibition offers school aged students the experience of preparing for and participating in a professional setting, recognizes and awards students for excellence and provides an opportunity for students, instructors, and peers to view the year's accomplishments.

The Lighthouse Center for the Arts strives to support budding artist during the summer by offering a new twist on summer art camp. Youth ages 4-12 can expand their skills and explore how to reuse, repurpose, and recycle to create art a CAMP EARTH. This eco-friendly day camp, where themes change weekly, will be held from June 8 to August 14. Young artists will explore how to make art that is good for mother earth. Internships opportunities are available for community service hours for older students. Camp and internship registration is open and can be done online at www.lighthousearts.org or by calling 561-748-8737.

The 39 th Annual K-12 Student Exhibition is made possible in part by the generous donation and participation of the GFWC Jupiter-Tequesta Junior Woman's Club . T he exhibition runs from May 6 th through 28 th and is free and open to the public. The Gallery @ The Lighthouse Center for the Arts is located in the Gallery Square North Plaza, 373 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, FL., ½ mile west of US Hwy 1, and is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 4:30 pm. For more information call 561-746-3101 or visit online at www.lighthousearts.org.