EUGENE, Ore. – (March 28, 2012) – The three childcare centers at the University of Oregon will produce a traveling exhibition of children’s art in April to correspond with the month of the young child. 

“The Art of Childhood: Inspired Learning,” will feature art from children who attend the UO’s Co-op Family Center, Moss Street Children’s Center and the Vivian Olum Child Development Center from April 2 to April 27 at three locations on campus.

The exhibition of drawings, painting and sculptures will be on display at the Ford Alumni Center from April 2 to April 5; at HEDCO Education Building from April 9 to April 20; and at the Erb Memorial Union from April 23 to April 27.

A free, public reception is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, April 20, at the HEDCO Education Building, Learning Commons, Room 110.

The purpose of the art show is to demonstrate the importance of providing materials and art experiences for children,” said Alison McNair, artist in residence, Co-op Family Center, which has produced its own art show for the past eight years. “Age appropriate, open ended discovery through materials stimulates learning modes of improvisation, narration, imaginary play, collaboration and cooperation with an ever expanding vocabulary of expressive materials.”

The Co-op Family Center is an independent, non-profit co-operative located in UO Spencer View Family Housing. Moss Street Children’s Center offers university student families first priority and is a program of the Erb Memorial Student Union. The Vivian Olum Child Development Center is administered by UO Human Resources with priority to faculty and staff families. Approximately 400 children are served by the three centers.

“Offering a group exhibit on campus strengthens the image of the young child in our society and makes visible the wonderful work being done on campus in the field of early childhood education,” said McNair.

About the University of Oregon

The University of Oregon is among the 108 institutions chosen from 4,633 U.S. universities for top-tier designation of "Very High Research Activity" in the 2010 Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The UO also is one of two Pacific Northwest members of the Association of American Universities.

MEDIA CONTACT: Julie Brown, UO media relations, 541-346-3185, julbrown@uoregon.edu

SOURCE: Alison McNair, Co-op artist in residence, mcnairart@msn.com

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