PACIFIC BEACH – Lots of “oohs” and “aahs” were heard as kids streamed into the Crown Point Junior Music Academy auditorium when the annual art show opened its doors on Friday, March 13.

This year’s theme, The Year of the Horse, included art pieces using several different types of media.

Erin Pennell, artist in residence from Art FORM, chose the theme to highlight the Chinese New Year, celebrating the Year of the Horse for 2026. Students learned about three famous artists: Marc Chagall, Franz Marc, and Deborah Butterfield, and their extensive use of horse figures and references in their art pieces and sculptures.

In her fifth year at Crown Point, Art FORM founder and artist Pennell provides structured art lessons at regular intervals for each grade level throughout the year, culminating in an annual art show. Art FORM, a local nonprofit art center, specializes in the creative reuse of found and recycled materials in each art lesson.

“One special part about working with students is seeing their development both during the school year and over several grades/years,” Pennell said. “From my view, it’s in leaps and bounds!

“It is a treasure to see their skills grow. It is also a treat to see them respond to recycled materials or out-of-the-box projects, true to Art FORM.”


The Year of the Horse theme was also represented in sculpture by fifth-grade artist Emmett Summers for the school’s annual art show. Summers completed a horse sculpture from found and recycled materials patterned after the work of the professional artist Deborah Butterfield. (Photo by Erin Pennell/Special for Times of San Diego)

The Garcia family (from left) Quinn, dad Aaron, Avery, mom Liz, and Zoey at the Crown Point Junior Music Academy’s annual art show on March 13. ‘Art FORM has been such a gift to our school community over the past five years,’ said Liz Garcia. (Photo courtesy of Garcia family)

At a recent art lesson on campus at CPJMA, Erin Pennell, (top left), artist in residence, admires  the work of fourth grade students Fintan Kelly (lower left) and Leora Mendlik. (Photo by Cyril A. Reinicke/Special for Times of San Diego)

While older students completed art pieces celebrating the Year of the Horse, TK and kindergarten students developed a smaller project titled Earth Is In Your Hands, shown in the upper right. (Photo by Erin Pennell/Special for Times of San Diego)