Pinellas County Schools announced on May 7 that its youngest students are being featured in the inaugural Prekindergarten Bright StARTS Exhibition, which celebrates early childhood artistic expression. Sixty artworks created by PreK students from 37 elementary schools were selected and framed for display at the Bette Ra Ivey Discovery Center in Pinellas Park, where the exhibition will remain through April 30, 2027.
The event highlights a districtwide initiative led by elementary visual arts teachers to provide enriching art experiences for PreK students throughout the school year. These hands-on opportunities help young learners explore creativity, develop fine motor skills, and express themselves through art. “This new PCS exhibition represents not only the incredible creativity of our youngest learners, but also the dedication of our art teachers who bring meaningful, developmentally appropriate art experiences to the PreK classes at their schools,” said Jonathan Ogle, PreK-12 Visual Arts Specialist.
An open-house reception was held on May 6 to celebrate participating students and their families. Attendees viewed student artwork displayed on the walls of the Discovery Center and received personalized certificates recognizing each child’s artistic achievement. The exhibition also features a virtual gallery where images of all student artwork can be viewed online.
Pinellas County Schools enriches community life by promoting academic achievement, innovation and student development; it maintains an extensive network of school facilities serving students throughout the county; operates as the official public school district under an elected School Board; runs 144 schools as Florida’s ninth-largest district; focuses on preparing students for college, careers and life; and offers one of Florida’s most diverse selections of magnet programs, according to the official website.
The exhibition underscores ongoing efforts within Pinellas County Schools to support arts education from an early age. As more initiatives like this are introduced across its network of schools, families can expect continued opportunities for creative learning.