The UMass Dartmouth College of Visual and Performing Arts has partnered with the Massachusetts Art Education Association and the New Bedford Art Museum/ArtWorks! to host Art All-State Massachusetts on June 10 and 11.

Now in its 29th year, Art All-State brings 145 of the Commonwealth’s most creative high school juniors to the university for an intense two-day experience. These students work with 16 artist/mentors who are all accomplished in a variety of media. The artist/mentors introduce the students to the rich arts community of downtown New Bedford, and investigate the works on display in the renowned Bierstadt exhibit at the New Bedford Art Museum/ArtWorks! and related exhibitions in the area. Through these encounters, the artists will mentor the students in experiencing the vast possibilities of the role of the artist in the contemporary creative community. The groups will explore the theme “Limits: No Limits” through which they will solve creative problems and create installation art pieces using limited materials and time constraints.

A public viewing and gallery exhibition showcasing the work of the artist/mentors will be held Saturday, June 11, from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the CVPA building, UMass Dartmouth.

Tape Artist Michael Townsend, and his crew will work to install a temporary mural in the CVPA Atrium. Known for his extensive drawings in tape, Townsend embodies the spirit of Art All-State and has been an integral part of the program for more than 20 years. He will deliver a lively artist talk for the students during Art All-State on Friday June 10.

Participating Artist/Mentors: Andy Bell, Christopher Charbonneau, Elizabeth Dooher, Rebekah Flake, Meghan Gates, YoAhn Han, Nancy Grace Horton, Rosa Ibarra, C.M. Judge, Cathy McLaurin, Kristen Mills, JoeJoe Orangias, Alex Romania, Emily Smith, Cuong Sy, Brett Sylvia