81st Annual Robert T. McKee Student Art Contest & Exhibition

February 2 – April 1, 2012

The Haggin Museum continues the longest-running student art competition in the United States, when the annual McKee Student Art Contest & Exhibition returns in 2012.

The exhibition was first envisioned 81 years ago by The Haggin Museum’s founding patron, Robert T. McKee, whose goal was to encourage students by providing a public venue for their artworks.

The 2012 exhibition, on display Feb. 2 through April 1, contains 1,220 entries from nearly 70 schools in San Joaquin County.

PARTNERSHIP WITH STOCKTON SYMPHONY

In the spirit of collaboration between arts institutions we are also pleased to announce a partnership with the Stockton Symphony which brings a thematic focus to this year’s exhibit.

The Symphony has commissioned Israeli Composer Avner Dorman to create a symphonic piece based on a children’s book called Uzu and Muzu from Kakaruzu. Set for its Stockton and world premiere in March, this fable of misunderstanding compounded through generations teaches an important lesson about conflict and resolution.
Download the complete story (translated) as a PDF.

The Haggin invited teachers who participate in the McKee Student Art Exhibition to help their students create artwork based on the themes of conflict and resolution: communication, compromise, empathy, and respect. Special prizes were awarded to upper and lower division students whose work exemplifies an artistic interpretation of this very current human reality.

2012 EXHIBITION JUDGE

The Haggin Museum Education Department is proud to announce the selection of LH Horton Jr. Gallery Director Jan Marlese as this year’s McKee Student Art Exhibition Judge.

Marlese has been the director of the San Joaquin Delta College gallery since May 2007. With a degree in Arts Administration from the University of Minnesota, emphasizing arts education and art history, she has worked in the field for more than 20 years.

In her position for the Minneapolis Arts Commission as Public Art Program Manager, as Administrative Manager for Zeum at Yerba Buena Gardens, and as Executive Director for the Napa Valley Arts Council she has worked to include youth in many of the arts programs she developed. These programs were developed out of her belief that the arts promote and engage students in the process of learning, creative problem solving, and in building self-esteem.

JUDGE'S STATEMENT

The works in the McKee Student Art Exhibition represent a wide variety of expression, creative process, cultural reflection, and artistic style. The accomplishments of these young artists are indeed something for the students, teachers and community to be proud of. Selection of the McKee Student Art Awards was not an easy task, as many good examples were represented. The final selections were based on the students’ demonstrated understanding of the formal elements in art (design, composition, use of color, line, form/shape, balance, perspective, scale) the handling of materials, and the ability to communicate an idea, emotion or narrative. I also tried to keep a balance in representation by selecting the best example from class projects so as not to have too many works from the same lesson. As with any juror, I was also guided by my appreciation for the work, particularly unique qualities. I applaud the school districts, educators, and all who make it possible for students to be educated in the arts, and to explore the artistic nature that resides in us all.

Jan Marlese, LH Horton Jr Gallery Director
February 2012