New Bedford Showcases More Than 3,500 Student Artists in Annual District-wide Art Show

In Massachusetts’ largest exhibit of student art, New Bedford Public Schools will showcase the creativity of more than 3,500 student artists during the annual NBPS District-Wide Art Show at the Paul Rodrigues Administration Building at 455 County Street.

The District-Wide Art Show is Thursday, May 12 with doors opening at 5:00 p.m. beginning with performances by the All-City Middle School Jazz Band and Jazz Combo.

Works displayed at the show include two dimensional, mixed media and three dimensional sculptures from students in grades K-12.

Thousands of children, parents, educators and community members will gather for a recognition ceremony at 6:00 p.m., with the show continuing through 7:15 p.m. with a performance by the Renaissance Community School for the Arts String Ensemble

At 6:00 p.m., a recognition ceremony will include Mayor Jon Mitchell, members of the School Committee and City Council, and Superintendent Pia Durkin.

Tracy Silva Barbosa, a New Bedford community artist, will be the keynote speaker at the recognition ceremony. Ms. Silva Barbosa painted a beautiful mural at Sgt. William H. Carney Academy this year.

Middle and high school student artists will be recognized by an expert panel of independent judges. Exemplary works will receive a Gold Key or Silver Key for Excellence in Visual Arts award.

For the Best in Show category, Evelyn Rodman at the middle school level and Abby Jupin at the high school level were this year’s winners.

Through the work of the districts’ visual art teachers, who collectively mounted the exhibit for the benefit of their students, this spectacular show is on display during normal business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. through May 20. Art is located throughout the first and second floor hallways at the Paul Rodrigues Administration Building.

“We are excited to welcome New Bedford parents and community members to our annual art show to see the talented, beautiful work of our kids under the instruction of our educators in art,” said Superintendent Durkin. “This year is an especially exciting show because with the restoration of a full week of school beginning in September for elementary students, New Bedford’s children will now have more access not only to visual arts, but also music, health, technology and physical education. These are all major components of a child’s well-rounded education and we are looking forward to this opportunity for New Bedford students.”

For more information about the visual or performing arts in the New Bedford Public Schools contact Lynn Souza, Director of Fine Arts and Music, at 508-997-4511 ext. 3352.