Each March, schools across the country celebrate Youth Art Month, a special time to honor the creativity and artistic expression of students. More than just a celebration, Youth Art Month highlights the vital role that art education plays in developing critical thinking, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Here at RCS, we are proud to showcase the incredible work of our students and celebrate the impact that art has on our school community.

3rd Annual Event

On Friday, March 20, the RCS National Art Honor Society (NAHS) hosted its third annual Youth Art Month (YAM) Summit in the high school library. The event brought together fifth-grade Art Clubs from PBC and AWB, middle school art students, and members of the high school NAHS for a day centered on creativity and collaboration.

Held in celebration of Youth Art Month, the summit featured a variety of hands-on art stations, where students rotated through different activities. From origami to guided drawing, participants had the opportunity to explore a range of artistic styles and techniques.

One of the highlights of the day was the creation of community murals. Students worked together to complete companion pieces that will be displayed at each participating school.

The event was a great success, with high school and middle school students serving as mentors and fostering a welcoming, creative environment for younger artists. We are proud of everyone involved for making this year’s summit such a positive and memorable experience.

The RCS Art Department has joined together with the RCS Community Library again this March to display student artwork in celebration of Youth Art Month!

The show is on display at the RCS Community Library located at 95 Main Street, Ravena, during the months of March and April.

A big congratulations to all of the students who have artwork on display! The students are:

A.W. Becker Elementary: Margot B., Avery S., Kelvin V., Isabella W.

Pieter B. Coeymans Elementary: Sebastian H., Sage M., Rhea R., Adonis W.

Middle School: Allie L., Melody M., Kaylee S., Courtney W.  

High School: Nathan B., Joseph D., Addison L., Irelyn R., Owen S., (Ash) Skylee W.

We hope you can stop by! 

The National Art Honor Society (NAHS) recently completed a meaningful project centered around creativity and kindness. Students worked together to create “Art Acts of Kindness”, 3” x 3” squares featuring original artwork and uplifting messages.

Their goal was to ensure that every 6th-grade student at the middle school received one. NAHS members decorated each 6th-grade locker with these unique pieces, filling the hallways with color and positivity.

This project was designed to remind each student that they are valued, cared for, and appreciated. We are proud of our NAHS students for using their creativity to make a positive impact in our school community.

We are proud to share that seniors Bradley Brenner and Helena Desnoyers were selected to exhibit their artwork in the Juried High School Students’ Art Show 2026, hosted by Columbia-Greene Community College. This competitive regional exhibition highlights outstanding student artists and showcases exceptional creativity from across the area.

Both students had their framed pieces on display at the Foundation Gallery Art Center, an exciting recognition of their talent and dedication to the arts. Even more impressive, both works were honored with awards at the show. Bradley earned Second Prize, while Helena received the Director’s Prize.

It was an incredible night for our RCS art students, and we are so proud of their achievements!

At RCS Middle School, our Grade 8 students brought together creativity and craftsmanship in their latest clay projects. Building on the skills and techniques developed in their 6th and 7th-grade clay units, this work represents their foundational learning in clay.

Students thoughtfully applied a layered dry-brush painting technique, allowing them to blend colors while adding depth, texture, and visual interest to their pieces. The results showcase not only their artistic growth but also their confidence and individuality as emerging artists.

See more of this work at the Middle School's Annual Art Show and Science Show on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

The RCS Art Department is excited to share that two high school students, Sandra Guzmán-Ortiz (Grade 12) and Piper Weddell (Grade 11), have been selected to exhibit their artwork in the 27th Annual High School Regional Juried Art Exhibition.

This highly competitive exhibition received 515 submissions, with only 127 artworks selected for display—making this a significant achievement for both students.

The exhibition will be held at the Albany Center Gallery. It opened on March 21 and will run through April 24, 2026.

We are incredibly proud of Sandra and Piper for this outstanding accomplishment.

 Olivia Harris, a first-grade student at Pieter B. Coeymans, recently had her art piece juried into the 23rd Annual Thatcher Park nature art show. Olivia loves art, and she draws every single day.

The Thatcher Park Nature Art Show is an annual exhibit that runs throughout the month of March and showcases local artists. This show features work with unique viewpoints and techniques across a variety of media, with a focus on nature-based subjects.

High School Art Honors students recently partnered with a small group of A.W. Becker Elementary students to create something meaningful for their school. Working side by side, they designed and painted three murals inspired by the school’s motto: Be Responsible, Be Safe, Be Respectful.

This collaboration brought together older and younger artists to share ideas, build artistic skills, and learn from one another. High school students helped guide the process, while elementary students contributed creativity and enthusiasm, making each mural a true team effort.

The project will soon expand even further, as all A.W. Becker students will be invited to add their thumbprints. This final touch will transform the murals into a fully collaborative piece that represents the entire school community.

Together, the murals will serve as a lasting reminder of unity, creativity, and the values that define A.W. Becker.

Each RCS building will host its own art show, celebrating student creativity across the district!

Pieter B. Coeymans
Thursday, April 16
5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

A.W. Becker
Thursday, April 23
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

RCS Middle School
Tuesday, May 19
6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

RCS High School
Tuesday, May 19
6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Celebrating RCS High School Student Artists From The 2025–2026