Victory Park
1201 N. Pershing Ave.
Stockton, CA  95203
(209) 940-6315   
education@hagginmuseum.org

The Haggin Museum is proud to once again host the longest-running student art competition in the United States.

Beginning March 29, the best work of student artists from the public and private schools of San Joaquin County will be on display in the Upper & Lower West Galleries.

For 77 years the museum has honored the vision of founding patron Robert T. McKee by hosting this exhibition featuring the work of student artists in kindergarten through grade 12. McKee, who grew up on Oak Street in Stockton and traveled by steamboat twice a week to attend art school in San Francisco, understood the desire to pursue art. He hoped that an annual display of art work would encourage students by providing a public venue for their efforts.

While the purpose of the show has remained unchanged since it began in 1931, the numbers surrounding it have not. At the first McKee Exhibition, there were slightly more than 100 entries. This year, 1,341 works of art were submitted from 67 San Joaquin County schools. This is the third-largest number of entries in the show's 77-year history.

The museum is honored to foster this commitment to learning and community. Student work is a reflection of teacher work. Over the years the exhibit has grown in quality and diversity due to the dedication of teachers in area schools. This year is no exception and the museum is honored to celebrate the effort and expression of young artists in our community.

ARTIST & EDUCATOR ADELE FOX SELECTED AS EXHIBITION JUDGE
Artist Adele Fox has been selected as the judge for the 77th Annual 2008 McKee Student Art Exhibition.

Born and raised in the San Joaquin valley, she studied painting and drawing at UC Davis and the San Francisco Art Institute. Ms. Fox has long-standing ties to the community as an exhibiting artist and educator.

Her ethereal drawings are inspired by forms found in nature. A current collaborative piece is part of a nation-wide traveling exhibition titled The Missing Peace: Artists Consider the Dalai Lama. She was included in the inaugural exhibition The Making of an Artist at the newly renovated Grand Theatre Center for the Arts in Tracy.

OPENING RECEPTION
Saturday, March 29, 1:30-3 p.m.

Celebrate with students, their families and teachers at the opening afternoon of the 77th McKee Student Art Exhibition. The Young Sounds of San Joaquin will enliven the event with jazz music. The event is sponsored by the museum’s Junior Women’s Group, who will provide punch and cookies for the guests.

MUSEUM INFORMATION
The Haggin Museum is located in Stockton's Victory Park, 1201 N. Pershing Ave., and is open Wednesday-Sunday, 1:30-5 p.m. and 1st & 3rd Thursdays of the month from 1:30-9:00 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults 18 and up; $2.50 for youth ages 10-17, students with a valid I.D., and seniors 65 and over; and free for museum members and children under 10 accompanied by an adult. Admission is free to all visitors on the first Saturday of every month.

Free docent-led tours may be booked in advance by contacting Lisa Cooperman at (209) 940-6315 or education@hagginmuseum.org. For disabled access, call ahead at (209) 940-6311 or 940-6317.