More than 150 pieces of art express beauty, make cultural connections and raise awareness about the effects of trauma

Middle and high school students across Clackamas County are using more than 150 pieces of art to express beauty, make cultural connections and raise awareness about the effects of trauma.

"Abdulah," a portrait by Molalla High School junior Morgan Bem , is being sent to Nigeria as part of the nonprofit Memory Project, which aims to make cross-cultural connections through art.

Clackamas High School senior Helen Lendzioszek's piece in acrylic paint and colored pencil challenges the idea that childhood trauma goes away as you grow older.

Childhood trauma, Lendzioszek said, "grows and morphs into different things as you grow."

Dozens of regional student artists will also be using their talents to compete for scholarships. These students representing school districts throughout the county are putting their pieces on display March 28 in the sixth-annual Clackamas Education Service District Regional Art Show.

For the first time in three years, the show will be held in person at Clackamas ESD's administrative headquarters, but a virtual version of the show will be accessible for those who can't visit the gallery in person.

"We are thrilled to return to holding this art show in person, and inviting students, teachers, families and the broader community into our building to celebrate the creative young artists in Clackamas County," said Larry Didway, Clackamas ESD superintendent. "I've been lucky enough to spend time viewing all of the artwork as it was being prepared for display, and it truly is inspiring."

Public middle and high school art teachers in Clackamas County curated and selected student work to submit to the show. This year's event once again features an array of media, including paintings, drawings, digital art, ceramics and photography. All entries will be adjudicated by a panel of art professionals, and grade-level honors and other special awards will be presented on April 28.

"So many people help put together this show, and I am particularly grateful to our region's art teachers, who have continued instilling a love of art and burnishing artistic skills in their students throughout the pandemic," Didway added. "Their efforts, and those of their students, are on full display in this year's art show. I'm so impressed by the quality of work our local students are producing."

Clackamas Education Service District Regional Art Show

When: Gallery opens March 28 and runs through April 29

Where: 13455 S.E. 97th Ave., Clackamas

Online gallery: clackesd.org/artshow

Awards ceremony: 6 p.m. Thursday, April 28, at Clackamas ESD headquarters. For those who can't attend in person, the event will be streamed live on Facebook.

Supporters: Pacific Northwest College of Art, One River School of Art+Design and Clackamas Community College will be providing free art classes or scholarships to award-winning students.