By SCOTT D. JOHNSTON

The meeting room at Ocean Shores Public Library became a gallery March 30-31 for the second annual Youth Fine Art Open Show, produced by Associated Arts of Ocean Shores.

The North Beach Jr./Sr. High School students of art teacher Richard Villar entered 120 pieces this year. Sixty were chosen to be displayed, and 25 of those received Award of Distinction, with judging done by local artist Judy Horn.

The show is a lead-in to one of the North Coast’s longest running annual events, the AAOS Fine Arts, 3-D and Photography Show, to be held at the Ocean Shores Convention Center the weekend of April 27-29. All 60 pieces from the Youth Art show will be showcased at this event, where they will also compete for cash awards. The free event displays hundreds of pieces of art in a variety of juried and open categories.

“The quality of the students’ work is amazing,” said Kathy Harris, who chairs the AAOS Youth Art Show. Villar agreed: “I think we can compete with much larger schools, based on the quality of work and variety of media.”

The art teacher noted that AAOS continues to “partner” with the local schools, by providing materials and also offering scholarships. “Whatever I need, they get it to me. I couldn’t ask for a more supportive group,” he said.

Harris explained that AAOS, with the help of groups such as the Seabrook Foundation and Grays Harbor Community Foundation, provides about $2,500 in art supplies yearly, and offers other help including one or more $1,000 scholarships. The group’s goal is that art can “keep these kids interested in school through graduation.”