Since 2008, the museum has celebrated Youth Art Month by hosting a Student Art Show competition for grades 6-10. This competition is named Talking Back, and it provides local teens the opportunity to explore the OJAC collection of art and artifacts and create their own work in response. 

In February, OJAC educators visited junior and senior high schools throughout Region 14 to present five artists from the museum's collection. Students explored each artist's work, focusing on the process and themes/ideas behind each piece and creating original artwork that communicated with it.

Talking Back is unique because it is both created and juried by teens. Each spring, the museum’s Teen Council jury and curate the show, as well as organize prizes and an exhibit opening reception. With help from education department staff, the teen volunteers consider various criteria as they critique each piece. This is one of the most important experiences in our Teen Council program, as the students gain valuable visual and critical thinking skills! They choose one winner for each response category and present certificates and prizes that they have secured from local businesses. 

March is a very special time at the OJAC. Our Stasney Center for Education is a popular place for families, and the museum staff is delighted to view the collection through the eyes of our youngest visitors! 

Join us for the opening of this special exhibition of student work at 2 pm on Saturday, March 29th. Awards ceremony and refreshments will take place at 2:30 pm.