BAC’s 20th Annual Juried Regional High School Art Show The Beachwood Arts Council proudly continues its tradition of partnering with area high school art teachers to identify and show the work, in a variety of media, of the region’s finest student artists. Bringing together students, teachers and friends of the arts throughout Cleveland for a unique cultural experience, this show aims to encourage creative expression, hone artistic skills, promote professionalism among high school art students through the experience of a competitive juried exhibition, and endorse art in the schools. On Sunday, February 1, the BAC held an opening reception for its 20th Annual Juried Regional High School Art Show at which talented students from area high schools exhibited their works. Jurors included Grafton Nunes, president and chief executive officer of the Cleveland Institute of Art; Kevin O’Donnell, managing director and owner, Lee Hayden Gallery, LLC; and Diane Pinchot, MFA, professor of art, Ursuline College. “This show is very near and dear to me. It's the show that brought me into the Beachwood Arts Council,” said chairperson Ileen Kelner. “In its 20th year, this is one of my favorite shows, and I thank each of you who made it possible.” Under the direction of art teacher Heather Grano, Beachwood High School participants included Sam Connor, Jisung Kim and Maria Alvarez. Corey Shupp, a Beachwood resident who attends Hawken School, also participated. Congratulations to the following students: • Honorable Mention recipients include Jiansu Liu (Andrews Osborne Academy), Katherine Decker (Gilmour Academy), Daja Lee (Bedford High School), Sarah Myers (Beaumont School), and Kaylie Harden (Bay High School). • Third Place was awarded to Olivia Etzman (Bay High School) for “Pipelines.” • Second Place was awarded to Rachel Parks (Lakewood High School) for “Subway Blues.” • First Place was awarded to Martel Tinsley (Aurora High School) for “Blue Ocean.” Top: “Blue Ocean” by Martel Tinsley, and “Hallway” by Jisung Kim. Middle: “Poison Ivy” by Maria Alvarez, “Self Portrait” by Sam Connor, and “Eye to Eye” by Maria Alvarez. Bottom: Sam Connor, Maria Alvarez, Heather Grano and Jisung Kim; and “Shoe” by Corey Shupp. Local Preteens Become Online Book Reviewers for National PJ Our Way Pilot Program The Jewish Federation of Cleveland has partnered with the Mandel Jewish Community Center to introduce PJ Our Way, a new pilot program created by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. This pilot program was designed to give 9- to 11-year-olds ownership over the material they read by allowing them to select their own books and express their opinions online. Families may register for this free program at www.pjourway.org. Fifteen preteens from Beachwood, Moreland Hills, Pepper Pike, Shaker Heights, and Solon were selected by PJ Our Way as youth leaders for “Cleveland’s Local Design Team.” This prestigious post gives young people the opportunity to develop leadership skills, while connecting with nine other PJ Our Way pilot communities across the country. “We are so proud of our local design team, which is representing Cleveland on the national PJ Library stage,” said Kelly Rubanenko, director of Growing Jewish Cleveland & Young Family Outreach. “We know they will inspire many other Jewish Cleveland children to participate in this amazing, free, book program.” PJ Our Way allows participants to select one of four books every month, giving them more choice on their journey toward being life-long readers while introducing them to Jewish ideas. What makes this program unique is its online discussion portal that lives on the PJ Our Way website, www.pjourway.org. Here, PJ Our Way participants can create book trailers, videos, quizzes, author interviews, and other media to communicate with peers about the books. PJ Our Way is an extension of the successful PJ Library program. Since PJ Library began in 2009, more than 4,200 Cleveland children, ages 6 months to 8 years have enrolled in the program. And, 100,000+ Jewish books and CDs have been delivered to the homes of local children at no cost, strengthening their Jewish connection. For more information or to register for PJ Our Way, contact the Jewish Federation of Cleveland’s Kelly Rubanenko at krubanenko@ jcfcleve.org, 216.593.2865, or visit www.pjourway.org. 44 Beachwood Buzz n March 2015