Celebrate youth and art and spring at the Berkeley Arts Council’s Youth Art and Young At Heart exhibit, which blends the art of kids with one who educates kids, and celebrates the youth in us all!  The exhibit features the artwork of the Boys and Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle’s Art Club, and the art and creative work of Mr. Joe Santoro, owner of Wonderment Puppet Theater and the Black Sheep Art Gallery.

The Boys and Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle’s “Art Club” got its start in 2019.  Vanice Colas, the Jefferson County Unit Director would draw, color and paint with the kids.  “Since they were always asking me to teach them to draw, one of them suggested we start an art club,” she says.  “Kids use art to express themselves.  In the Art Club, we use art as a means to learn about culture, history, emotional learning, and of course – Art!”  During pre-Covid days, the kids went on art trips, participated in community art projects, and created individual artwork.  Since Covid, they’ve been unable to attend Art Club and they miss their fellow Art Club members.  “Several of them make art at home, but without the Club, they haven’t had ready access to paints, canvas and other supplies.”  

Joe Santoro is an art instructor at Hedgesville Elementary School.  He helps his students explore different types of materials and learn about various art media in imaginative but meaningful ways.  Joe uses many types of media in his own artwork, which includes paintings, illustrations and 3-D wall pieces.  As the proprietor of Wonderment Puppet Theater and Black Sheep Art Gallery, Joe puts a lot of creative energy into developing and producing his puppet shows.  Joe truly exists in a world of wonderment and his creative world can be experienced fully at his theater at 412 W King Street. 

This exhibit is a celebration of youth and art and the creative mind as our region wakes from a cold winter and warms into spring.  The pandemic of the past year has been a winter of sorts and as we emerge from it, hope is waiting to bloom.  Full of bright colors and good energy, the artworks on display will fill your heart with hope and the promise of spring!

Youth Art & Young At Heart is on display Friday, March 26 through Saturday, April 17 at the Berkeley Art Works, 116 N. Queen Street, Martinsburg.  Hours are Friday and Saturday March 26 and 27 from 11am to 3pm.  Beginning in April, hours at the Art Works are Thursdays and Fridays 11am to 5pm, and Saturdays 11am to 4pm.