The month of March is Youth Art Month in Covington. This means, local students can have their art on display throughout the city at participating businesses.

This will be the 12th year for the art show, the Covington Arts Commission Chair Lesli Cohan said.

“It was started to encourage art in the local schools and to get students involved in art programs and projects,” Cohan said.

The types of art pieces that come in from students are mainly pieces that are thematic from their school art instructors or docents, or individual pieces in general. The form of art is usually painting, drawing and pen and ink, Cohan said.

Many businesses participate each year, and this year 24 will be participating as “galleries” for the art work.

“The businesses are very collaborative and happy to have the student work,” Cohan said.

As far as who can participate, any student in the Covington local area schools can participate, Cohan said. They have coordinated and collaborated with art instructors, docents, PTSA and the schools to encourage students to participate in all age ranges. Each year they have seen the number of pieces increase. This year, they are showing 947 pieces. No submission is turned away.

Cohan said that studies have shown that participating in arts help students more fully tap into creativity, well rounded thinking and personal expression. Because of that, the city of Covington, the City Council and the Covington Arts Commission have been working together to encourage art and arts in schools and the inclusion of art as a means to more fully develop students, Cohan said.

“We are very lucky to have such great support from the city and the volunteers working to make this event such a success,” Cohan said. “We greatly appreciate our local business community and their support as well, it’s an event that is greatly anticipated and appreciated each year.”