The Claremont Lewis Museum of Art is presenting the 15th annual "ARTstART: StART It Up!" exhibition from May 8-10, featuring artwork created by elementary school students from all seven Claremont elementary schools. The show, curated by high school participants in the museum's Project ARTstART program, includes collages, sculptures, paintings, and works on paper, and will be held at the Ginger Elliott Exhibition Center in Memorial Park. The exhibition also includes hands-on art-making activities for visitors.
This exhibition matters because it highlights the sustained impact of Project ARTstART, a signature arts education program launched in 2011 that trains high school and college students as teachers and mentors for younger students. Now involving over 100 high school students and eight interns, the program fosters intergenerational learning and community engagement in the visual arts. Its continued funding from local foundations, city grants, and community donors underscores the importance of grassroots support for arts education in public schools.