8th Grade “Scholastic” Scholarship Winner to Participate in RAM Teen Summer Art Program

Riverside CA – The Riverside Art Museum (RAM) is proud to announce that award-winning artist Jesus Carreon will participate in our Teen Summer Art Program with a scholarship provided by Scholastic.

Carreon, an incoming 8th grader at Richardson Prep in San Bernardino, was awarded the scholarship as part of Scholastic’s Alliance Summer Arts Program. At RAM, Jesus will take courses on painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, and mixed media.

“I am very excited for this opportunity to learn more,” says Carreon. “I see art as a way to express myself – all of my feelings and to take out my anger and my happiness.”

Carreon’s art teacher at Richardson Prep, Darcy Curwen, states that the 4.0 student is deserving of this scholarship to take classes.

“Jesus is a driven kid, undaunted by challenges,” says Curwen. “He is not only talented, but a hard worker. Everything he does, he does super well.”

Although a young artist, Carreon has received attention for his talents. Carreon was the first 7th grader at Richardson Prep in ten years to be invited to take Advanced Art, a class normally reserved for top 8th grade artists. In addition, Carreon won the Gold Key Award, the highest award within the state for Scholastic’s Art and Writing Award program.

“We debuted our Teen Summer Art Program this summer for talented youth just like Jesus,” says RAM Executive Director Drew Oberjuerge. “With one in six jobs in Southern California now in the creative industries, it is essential that youth receive arts education classes so that they can reach their full potential. We are excited to see what Jesus accomplishes.”

Beth Yeager, the museum’s Art Education Director, is looking forward to working with this developing young artist. “We are thrilled that Jesus will be joining our program this summer and feel confident that he will learn a lot and enjoy the experience of creating art.”

Carreon’s work will be exhibited with other participants of the summer program at the museum on August 3, 2012 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

“I am very proud and happy that my son is talented,” says Maria Consuelo Soria, mother of Carreon. “I hope that he continues and strives towards his goals no matter what, regardless of any obstacles that may come.”

RAM relies on the generosity of members and donors to support its exhibitions, education programs, and special events. A 50-plus-year-old, private, non-profit cultural arts institution housed in a National Historic 1929 building designed by Hearst Castle architect Julia Morgan, the museum welcomes over 50,000 visitors a year. The museum is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m. For information on exhibits, events, classes, memberships, or sponsorship opportunities, visit www.RiversideArtMuseum.org. Find us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/riversideartmuseum) and Twitter (RAMRiverside).