Oct. 17 was the artwork request deadline for the Arts Rise and Shine Leadership Breakfast.

The Arts Rise and Shine Leadership Breakfast is a large Arts advocacy event put on by the Manatee Arts Education Council. It includes district leaders, school principals and board members, and community advocates. The artwork donated will be presented as gifts to the principals. The event itself was held on Oct. 24.

Ten from each school, those schools being Bayshore High, Braden River High, Lakewood Ranch High, Manatee High, Manatee School for the Arts, Palmetto High, Parish Comm High, and Southeast High, were requested, which follow the format of 8×10 and the prompt, “What the Arts mean to me…”

Alex Lucero was selected to participate. Lucero interpreted the prompt as “something for me to get my emotions and whatnot onto paper and express myself.” They translated the interpretation into their art by using facial expressions and color to communicate emotion. 

Students who participated in the event were given a $20 gift card to Publix.