This year will mark the 30th anniversary of the Shreveport Regional Arts Council’s ArtBreak showcase event, a celebration of the art and artistic achievement of Caddo and Bossier parish schools.

Casey Jones, the marketing director for SRAC, said this year’s celebration is “going to be a big deal.” 

“It will feature people who have come through the school system and ArtBreak.”

One of those ArtBreak alumni is Carmen Ortiz. She is co-founder and creative director at Linoza, LLC, in New York. Her company specializes in ladies’ ready-to-wear fashion. After being selected from over a thousand entries, she was awarded the first design apprenticeship with Charming Charlie stores to develop and assist in creating the spring 2014 line of handbags sold nationwide in 250 locations.

Another of the former ArtBreak participants scheduled to be on hand is  actor, writer, producer and director Blayne Weaver. His movie production company, Secret Identity Productions has produced a number of films, including “Outside Sales,” “Weather Girl” and “6 Month Rule.” 

The event will showcase more than 2,500 original visual and literary artworks created by student in grades kindergarten through 12, according to the festival website.

This year’s installment runs from April 21-27 at the Shreveport Convention Center. A highlight of the festival; includes the ArtBreak Awards Ceremony 2 p.m. April 27. 

ArtBreak jurors will aware $15,000 in savings bonds, other prizes, and trophies to more than 100 Caddo and Bossier students for outstanding work in the visual, literary, and performing arts. A twist of the judging is the judges must then defend their selections to a group of 200 students who will learn the technique of critique. They will then award their own “Students’ Choice” awards.

Other activities are scheduled, including The Very Special Arts Festival, which will recognize students with physical and/or mental disabilities in Northwest Louisiana. Guest artists in a variety of disciplines will be on hand to show how they create their unique works of art during the festival. There will also be booths at the festival representing over 100 local schools and featuring student work. Students will also present live performances on three stages from their school’s performing arts curriculum.

Professional artists and community organizations involved with various aspects of the arts will also be on hand to share their stories with attendees.

According to SRAC, more than 50,000 students, parents, teachers and other individuals participate in the weeklong Caddo-Bossier Celebrate Education celebration. The week features field trips to the KTBS Summer Reading Festival. That event is open to all second-graders in the area. In addition, attendees can also visit the Very Special Arts Festival and the ArtBreak Third-Grade Days learning hands-on interdisciplinary activities taught by professional artists.

Originally called the “Student Art Festival,” the name was changed after SRAC Executive Director Pam Atcheson made a deal with a local principal. Atchison said in 1983 then-Byrd High School Principal Buddy Shaw offered to have the Byrd Break Dancers perform if the event was renamed “ArtBreak.” Shaw later became a state senator, and the name ArtBreak is a fixture of SRAC’s annual calendar.

At the core of the celebration of the arts are hands-on activities taught by professional artists and free to the public. Emphasis is placed on basic skills in math, language arts, reading, science and history. There are several opportunities for youngsters to see special educational performances and even get their own library card.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday will feature special hours for the public to come to the Convention Center to see the art and performances. Admission is free. Hours are  4 p.m. to 9 p.m. April 25; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 26; and 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. April 27.