Joshua Tree National Park management and Groundwork Arts announce a new exhibition of artworks by elementary students from MUSD, entitled Quirky Characters: Illustrated Patches, at The Black Rock Art Gallery in Yucca Valley, opening reception this Friday.
Groundwork Arts brings professional practicing artists into local community schools to provide innovative educational opportunities to students, teachers, and families. The exhibit Quirky Character: Illustrated Patches will feature 810 hand drawn character patches by students from 11 schools, with support from 113 teachers and 7 teaching artists.
Students had the opportunity to explore the art of local artist and business owner of Joshua Tree’s World-Famous Crochet Museum, Shari Elf. Drawing inspiration from Elf’s playful and carefree patches, students created simple, hand-drawn characters on fabric squares that can be traded with friends, given to loved ones, or, in this case, combined to make collaborative quilts.
“One of the most important experiences for an artist is to share their art with the rest of the world,” said Rhonda Lane Coleman, director of Groundwork Arts, “and we are thrilled that our community will have the opportunity to celebrate these amazing young artists.”
The exhibition will run from April 19 through early summer at the Black Rock Art Gallery in the Black Rock Nature Center, located at 9800 Black Rock Canyon Rd, Yucca Valley, CA 92284. There will be an opening reception on Friday, April 19, 2024, from 5pm to 7pm.
