Carnegie Art Museum Displays BGCOP National Fine Arts Pieces

    OXNARD, CA, January 15, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme invites the community to its annual National Fine Arts Exhibit Gala on January 22 - 26 at the Carnegie Art Museum, 424 South C Street, Oxnard. The reception and award ceremony will be from 4-7 p.m. on Jan. 22. More than 60 pieces of art will be on display.

"We are excited about our new partnership with the Carnegie Art Museum. Our members will be displaying their artwork in a professional setting. It is an amazing experience. We hope everyone has a chance to stop in and see what our very talented members have created," said Erin Antrim, BGCOP Chief Executive Officer.

BGCOP is one of thousands of Clubs across the country joining in a search to identify talented young artists. The competition is part of Boys & Girls Clubs of America's National Fine Arts Exhibit, a comprehensive initiative promoting young people's creativity, and encouraging artistic skills and cultural enrichment.

The arts are such an important part of a child's development that they're identified as one of the Club's five core areas to help youth reach their full potential. This year, the Club had nearly 500 youth participate in the National Fine Arts program. Members work on art projects throughout the year that can be used in the art show. Each month, Club members in the art program learn a different art medium and then create art pieces. The best pieces are chosen to be in the Club's local art show and judged.

As a participant in the National Fine Arts Exhibit program, the BGCOP will submit members' artwork in four age divisions and 10 categories, including watercolor, pastel, oil, acrylic and collage. Selected artwork will be screened at the regional level and a limited number will be sent to BGCA's Atlanta headquarters for judging at the national level.

Thirty-seven national winners will be named, with their artwork displayed at special events throughout the year. Winning artists will also receive engraved plaques and letters of congratulations from BGCA President and CEO Jim Clark. Regional finalists will receive a certificate of participation.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme exists to inspire and enable all young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. The Club has served the youth of Oxnard and Port Hueneme for 60 years. With three full-service clubs, 18 school program sites and one housing site, the organization is one of the largest of its kind in California, serving more than 9,000 members annually. It's also the first Boys & Girls Club of its kind to open in the Juvenile Justice Center. Program areas offered to youth include character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, technology and sports/fitness/recreation opportunities. For more information, visit http://www.positiveplace4kids.org.

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