The Artists Council (AC) invites the public to view the Young Artists Exhibition (YAE), a juried art exhibition from public and private high schools throughout the Coachella Valley. Seventy-six artworks, including drawing, painting, photography, video, digital images, mixed media and ceramics, were selected, reflecting the theme of Fantasy/Reality. The Young Artists Exhibition will be on display at Artists Center at the Galen in Palm Desert from April 9 – May 15, with free admission Wednesdays – to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

     Jurors Katherine Hough, curator, and Emily Culhan, art educator, were impressed by the diversity of the work and the thoughtfulness of the students. Hough and Culhan juried the artworks based on the interpretation and presentation of the theme, originality, craftsmanship and meaningful communication of ideas. The jury presented YAE awards to the following students:

Ricardo Mendez, Amistad High School

Alexander Rojas-Duran, Cathedral City High School

Jose Martinez, Desert Mirage High School

Charley Sanchez, Indio High School

Tyler Fieux, La Quinta High School

Mariah Young, Mt. San Jacinto High School

Genevieve McIlroy, Palm Desert High School

Jane White, Palm Valley School

Aime Barcenas, Palm Desert High School

Nelly Valencia, Palm Desert High School

    In addition, the Artists Council will host its first Free Community Sunday in the Garden on Sunday, April 24, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Artists Center at the Galen. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Bird Singers will open the festivities. Collaborating with a variety of community art organizations and the City of Palm Desert, Community Sunday will feature family-friendly hands-on art activities such as creating graffiti street art with Flat Black Studio artist Jordan Kyzer, plain air painting and drawing demonstrations by Desert Plein Air Artists, recycled art experiences with SCRAP Gallery, tile painting for the Children's Discovery Museum's new walls and sculpting hosted by the Artists Council Marshmallow Engineers. In addition, DJ Nick will provide music, Dance with Miss Lindsay's "impromptu" troupe will perform unique choreography outdoors, and the award-winning band Shadow Hills High School Jazz Band will play jazz standards.

     Jim and Carol Egan support the Young Artists Exhibition. Additional youth program support is provided by Darlenna Burleson and Cynthia Buzzard, Renova Energy, Joe Gamble and Terry Anderson, the City of Palm Desert, LULU Catering and MJR Custom Framing.

    The Artists Center at the Galen is located at 72-567 Highway 111, Palm Desert, California. For information, visit artistscouncil.com or call 760-565-6130.

Details:

1) Ricardo Mendez

Award:  Thoughtful Use of Black/White

Artwork Title: "Unknown at This Time"

Medium:  Pencil on Paper

School:  Amistad High School

2) Alexander Rojas-Duran

Award:  Best of Show

Artwork Title: "Remnants of Society"

Medium:  3-D Rendered Digital Image

School:  Cathedral City High School

3) Jose Martinez

Award:  Meaningful Communication of Ideas

Artwork Title: "Reality in My Room. Fantasy in My Mind."

Medium:  Mixed Media on Paper

School:  Desert Mirage High School

4). Charley Sanchez

Award:  Creative Use of Materials

Artwork Title: "Dreams"

Medium:  Mixed Media on Cardboard

School:  Indio High School

5). Tyler Fieux

Award:  Quality Craftsmanship

Artwork Title: "Behold"

Medium:  Charcoal on Paper

School:  La Quinta High School

6). Mariah Young

Award: Best Interpretation of Theme

Artwork Title: "A Step into Imagination"

Medium:  Acrylic and Oil on Canvas

School:  Mt. San Jacinto High School

7)  Genevieve McIlroy

Award:  Originality

Artwork Title:  "Boite d'allumettes"

Medium:  Glazed Ceramic

School:  Palm Desert High School

8). Jane White

Award:  Thoughtful Use of Color

Artwork Title: "Ready Player One"

Medium:  Digital Image

School:  Palm Valley School