The 92nd annual Robert T. McKee student art exhibit is on display at the Haggin Museum from Feb. 2 through March 19. The show invites all San Joaquin County students between kindergarten and 12th grade to submit their work.
“This year, Haggin received over 900 pieces of art chosen by the teachers as the best in their class,” said The Haggin Museum’s CEO, Susan Obert.
The Haggin has two spaces filled with artwork; kindergarten through fourth grade is displayed on the main floor, and fifth through 12th grade is displayed on the second floor. “The Tuleburg gallery will be filled with two- and three-dimensional artworks created in crayon, colored pencil, pastel, watercolor, oil and acrylic paint, photography, and other mediums,” said Obert.
“This exhibition was first envisioned by founding patron Robert T. McKee, whose goal was to encourage students by providing a public venue for their artwork,” said Obert. “Since the first show in 1931, the Haggin has been honored to collaborate with the schools of San Joaquin County, resulting in ninety-two years of celebrating the efforts of its teachers and expression of its young artists.”
Robert T. Mckee was the son of a pioneer family who grew up in Stockton. He became an artist and set designer, who traveled the world for education and work. After inheriting money from his father-in-law, he encouraged his wife to donate funding to the San Joaquin Pioneer and Historical Society so that they may better pursue their efforts in establishing a local history museum. The year the museum opened, Mckee used funds to establish the art competition and exhibit that remains today.
This year the art competition is being judged by Delta’s own Jan Marlese, Gallery Director for the LH Horton Jr Gallery. “I was asked to be the juror by the Haggin Museum Education Director, Leon Bach. My position as the Art Gallery Coordinator at Delta College, where I oversee the student art show, as well as curating professional shows and program management work in arts education, provides me with the desirable experience to juror the McKee Student Art Exhibition,” said Marlese.
“Jan’s passion for the arts is inspired by the creative process, and she is dedicated to bringing artists and the community together to share in this experience,” said Obert.
Having an art competition and exhibit like this available to students in San Joaquin County encourages and empowers them to pursue their creative and artistic goals.
“This annual exhibition allows the museum to encourage and support students by fostering their creativity and giving them a place to show their artwork,” said Obert. “The California Public Schools Visual and Performing Arts Framework states that the arts develop young people’s abilities to think, observe, create, organize thoughts and feelings, assess critically and use their imaginations.”
The McKee Exhibit fosters creativity just by viewing it. When you are surrounded by the vibrant artworks, you are inspired to pursue your own dreams through art.
“I think it is important to foster creativity at all ages and education grade levels. Regardless of a person’s intention to become a professional artist, engaging in the creative process is important to our development as human beings,” said Marlese. “There are also many professions that employ creativity and an understanding of design, making early and continuing arts education a driving factor in producing a better designed world. Opportunities to display one’s art in shows such as the McKee and the Delta College student art exhibitions (which opens May 4 this year) is an inspiration to both the artists and the viewing audience to experience.”