Youth Art Month, which is observed in March, emphasizes the importance of visual arts and encourages the support of art programs in grades K-12.

Kelly Wasson, art teacher at Independence Nontraditional School, is always creating new and innovative lessons to engage students and teach them the value of art education, and Youth Art Month is no exception.

“In my lessons, I focus on teaching art techniques while also nurturing a lifelong passion for creativity. My goal is to spark curiosity and instill a love for all things artistic,” Wasson stated. 

To celebrate Youth Art Month, Wasson brought the joy of glow art to her students and classroom by assigning students to create their own glow art jellyfish. Students in the class were equipped with a blank piece of paper, a handful of example jellyfish drawings, a pencil, and a pack of neon oil pastels.

“Glow Art resembles an art party where everyone shares in the excitement and enjoyment. What could be a better way to launch Youth Art Month than with a festive art celebration? It fosters an atmosphere filled with enthusiasm and creativity, enabling students to express themselves in a lively and engaging manner,” shared Wasson.

To complete their creations, each student started by freehand drawing the outline of a jellyfish with a pencil. Once they were satisfied with their drawings, the overhead lights were turned off, the blacklights were turned on, and the glow began. To enhance the atmosphere and provide additional inspiration, a video of jellyfish swimming was projected at the front of the classroom.

Wasson expressed everyone's love for glow art by stating, “The wow factor of glow art is undeniable! Every student and staff member who enters my room during glow art is amazed by the brilliance of blacklight art. Art is inherently fun and engaging, but when you add a glowing effect, it transforms into something magical. Students love it and look forward to it every year.”

As the students used the oil pastels, the classroom and their faces began to light up and glow. Some students felt so inspired that they started drawing on the reverse side of their artwork and even extra pieces of paper.

“My objective is to foster an inclusive environment where every student feels appreciated and encouraged to explore their creativity. By incorporating a range of artistic mediums, I can address the diverse learning needs and interests of my students,” explained Wasson.