Published: May 08, 2008 05:21 pm         

CACE Youth Expo exceeds all expectations

Imagine two large exhibit rooms filled throughout the day with 700 excited youth and their families, and almost 100 volunteers. Add a visual effect of 200 pieces of matted 2-D and 3-D art pieces, two large murals, and the sounds of four bands and other student performers. That begins to describe the second annual Youth Expo sponsored by Cumberland Artisans for Creative Expression (CACE), a volunteer group committed to celebrating the cultural arts of Cumberland County.

While the numbers are impressive, the individual stories are the most significant. Families brought cameras to proudly take photographs of their child’s art or performance. Young people focused on intricate skills, some of which were bobbin lace making, rug hooking, chair caning, spinning, creative writing, and origami.

While many youth listed on the survey sheets specific arts or crafts that they did, one first-grade student wrote,”They had my picture hung up,” and, “I got to listen to my brother in the band.” A fourth-grader proclaimed, “I played the dulcimer and sewed material together.”

Funding of the Youth Expo was via three major sponsors: the Bank of Crossville, Crossville Ceramics Tile, and Wildwood Catering. Other donors were the Art and Frame Shop and First National Bank. Funding was also by an ABC grant. The Arts Build Communities program is funded by the Tennessee General Assembly and administered in cooperation with the Tennessee Arts Commission and the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Matching funds came from CACE membership fees and the silent auction held each fall.

CACE expresses appreciation to the art and music teachers, principals, and Aarona Van Winkle, director of schools, for their endorsement of this ambitious project. An appreciative “thank you” also goes to the 2008 Youth Expo committee leadership team members, including Sandra Reilly, Glenna King, Leigh Smith, Julie Smith, and coordinator Sharron Eckert.

To learn more about CACE and its mission visit the Web site www.cumberlandart.com, or contact President Sharron Eckert, 277-5425. CACE is a 501©(3) not-for-profit volunteer organization chartered by the state of Tennessee. New members are welcome. Consider supporting the arts as the perfect way to pay back to our wonderful community.