Shawnee Shares

Creative Genius Art Gallery and Studio is proud to host "Shawnee Shares", a juried exhibit of original art from Shawnee High School students designed to encourage the growth of local young artists in a "pay it forward" kind of way. The goal is to help young artists within the Medford, NJ community to experience a gallery exhibit while working in conjunction with the gallery to promote arts education in areas where lack of funding has eliminated many art programs. Many people are not aware that half of our nation's public schools no longer have any arts curriculum available to students. That might not seem like a big deal to some but it is a proven statistic that art programs help young students develop self-esteem and confidence in addition to keeping children off the streets and involved instead in projects which promote their personal growth and enhance their ability to learn.

Since its inception, Creative Genius has represented the work of artists in all age groups. With "Shawnee Shares", proprietors Julie Basello-Holt and Chris Holt want to provide talented student artists with the experience of showing their work in an actual art gallery. In addition, they want to encourage the exhibiting student artists to help "pay it forward" by working in conjunction with the gallery to donate a portion of the proceeds from all exhibit sales to Art Sphere, Inc, a Philadelphia-based non-profit organization established to teach inner-city and low income students fundamental art concepts while promoting learning and growth. Through art education programs, students can broaden their cultural horizons and explore self-expression while increasing their self-esteem and their knowledge of other topics as they relate to art. As an educator himself, Chris Holt is passionate about the importance of art in the lives of children and both Holts are proponents of encouraging young talent to explore but also to gain the knowledge of how powerful talent can be in helping others who are less fortunate.

An opening reception and a chance to meet the artists will be held on Saturday, February 25th, 2006 from 7 to 10 p.m. in the gallery. Refreshments will be served and the event is open to the public. The exhibit will show through March 25th, 2006.

Creative Genius is a fine art and fine craft gallery dedicated to offering one-of-a-kind and limited edition hand-crafted decorative and functional art in all price ranges as well as a full range of art instruction and workshops in many mediums. It is located in historic Medford Village at 32 North Main Street/Route 541.

By dealing directly with artists, the Holts are able to offer beautiful and unique American-made fine art and fine craft in their gallery as well as provide art buying services and varied art instruction and workshop opportunities for children and adults. Proprietors Julie Basello-Holt and Chris Holt combine many years of skill in art instruction, education and operations management with their passion for visual arts. Together, with their team of artists and instructors, they offer a personalized and unique artistic shopping and learning experience in a creative and colorful environment. Please join them in supporting Shawnee's bright young artists as well as arts education for children. For more information, call (609) 714-1131, or visit Creative Genius on the web at www.creativegeniusonline.com.

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Author: Press Release