NORTH GRAFTON, Mass., - The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation and North Grafton's Sunshine Sign Company have partnered to support the annual exhibition of Visual Arts for all K-7 students enrolled in Blackstone Valley public and private schools. A supporter of visual arts, in personal and business endeavors, Sunshine Sign provides visual marketing for business, industry and higher education institutions throughout the region and relies on visual arts skill and talent to remain an industry leader.

The mission of the Arts in the Valley program is to:

• Highlight, celebrate and honor the achievements of valley-wide students who have practiced, discovery, problem solving, critical thinking, analysis, interpretation, inventiveness and cultural appreciation through art education classes
• Promote the value of strong visual arts programs in our schools
• Assure a strong future workforce of creative thinkers, risk-takers and innovators
• Inspire students to do their best in school
• Introduce students to a professional environment

The Art in the Valley program is provided free-of-charge to schools in the Blackstone Valley, and organized completely by the participating visual arts teachers led by the event's Coordinator, art teacher Lorna Pezanelli of Millbury Public Schools.

The fourth annual Art in the Valley student Art Exhibition opening reception will be held on Friday April 9th from 7-9 p.m. at the Grafton Elementary School at 105 Millbury Street, Grafton. The program will include Greetings, Tributes and light refreshments. The exhibition will continue on Saturday April 10th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information, contact Susan Gately, Executive Director for the Blackstone Valley Education Foundation at sgately@blackstonevalley.org.