Students showcase their work

About 250 pieces of art will be on display today at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada as part of its annual exhibit.

"We really encourage parents and members of the public to see the wonderful artwork of our children," said Kristi Murkovich, the club's art director. "We do have some very talented kids. It's amazing."

Carson City members are joining with more than 4,300 Boys & Girls Clubs across the country in the National Fine Arts Exhibit.

Winners from each club will advance to regional competitions then on to the national level. There, 37 winners will be named and their artwork will be displayed at special events throughout the year.

Although Delaney Jones, 8, has been painting since she was 2 or 3, she's anxious about displaying her painting of birds flying over a field of grass for all to see.

"I'm kind of nervous," she said. "People usually don't get to see my art except my family."

Despite the outcome of the contest - members of the Nevada Artists Association will judge the entries today before the exhibit - Delaney plans to continue her artistic hobbies.

"It's fun," she said. "I just like it so much."

Murkovich, joined by staff and club members, set up the display Tuesday.

Abbygail Northrop, 10, volunteered to help. She didn't have an entry for the show, but she liked what she was seeing.

"I think people put a lot of work into them," she said. "A lot of them look really creative, really pretty."

Entries will be in watercolor, pastel, monochromatic drawings, mixed-medium drawings and one sculpture.

It was open to children ages 6-18.

Murkovich said the show is a good opportunity for the community to see the talent of the children as well as for the participants to gain confidence.

"The recognition is unbelievable," she said. "There's nothing like an ego boost for a growing kid when they see their parents or someone from their community looking at their work. They take real pride in that."

She called arts one of the "fundamental rights of children," and said adults should pay attention.

"Kids are intuitive, they're creative," she said. "The way they see the world is invaluable."