Youth Art Month is a celebration of the visual arts that began as Children’s Art Month in 1962 through The Crayon and Watercolor Institute (now Art and Creative Materials Institute, or ACMI). Today, the Council for Art Education (CFAE) administers the program at the national level and showcases the positive impact and association between art teachers and students at the K-12 level.  The month-long celebration emphasizes the positive influences of visual art education not found in standard core curriculum subjects. Art shows, special exhibits, fundraisers, and school and community activities take place annually, traditionally during March. The theme this year is “Healing Through Color”.

Since 2019, the Macon County Art Association has invited the Macon County art teachers in grades K – 12 to select student artwork for a YAM exhibit at the Uptown Gallery. This year the homeschool students have been invited to participate and with the expanded show, it has been moved to Cowee School Arts and Heritage Center in the auditorium from March 1 – 31.  A reception will be held on Saturday, March 15 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. that is open to the public with refreshments served.  The Arts and Heritage Center is open from 9 – 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 

 On the radio show, “Citizens Making a Difference”, Gordon Mercer will be interviewing individuals involved to explain more about the impact the arts make on students. It will be broadcast on Saturday, February 22, at 8:00 a.m., on WFSC – 104.9 FM, WNCC – 104.1 FM, and 1050 AM. 

Also in Highlands, in celebration of YAM, Stephanie Hudson, art instructor at the Highlands Schools, will have her student’s artwork, both 2-D and 3-D, on display at the Hudson Library.