Now that the 2009-10 school year has begun, I'm beginning the launch to highlight student artwork. It's long been a concern of mine that there is no formal art education in Tyler County at the elementary school level. The middle and high schools have art teachers, but the primary grades have to make do with whatever their regular teachers can provide.

To their credit, I think the elementary school teachers do a wonderful job with what they have, but I'd still like to see more resources available to the kids, and more opportunities for them to showcase their work. Part of the joy in the artistic process is having the chance to exhibit and let other people see the work that you have created.

(I say this knowing full well that I throw up before each exhibit of my own, because I get so nervous about how it will be received. But still, it is very important to have the experience of exhibiting and sharing your own work with others.)

With that in mind I am inviting the community, schools, parents and children to send me pictures of their artworks. This could be drawings, paintings, something built from scratch -- if you'd like an artwork to be considered, please scan the image and email it to me at sharonlyn@gmail.com.

I am hoping this will be a good beginning toward a stronger arts presence in Tyler County. I know from my volunteer work that there are a great many talented children in our schools! We need to find more ways for them to shine.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you....