April 18, 2026
Art currently on display at Laurel Ridge Community College’s Sekel Art Atrium on the Middletown Campus was created by the tiniest of hands.
Week of the Young Child was sponsored April 11-17 by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children). The Apple Valley Chapter of VAAEYC (Virginia Association for the Education of Young Children) cosponsored the exhibit, which will be on display through the rest of April.
All of the work was created by children ages 1-5.
“It’s artwork created by children ages 1-5,” said Education Professor Jennifer Strickler. “I spent the greater part of the last few months visiting childcare centers, partly to introduce myself because I’m new to Laurel Ridge, and to register artwork for the show.”
Professor Strickler, who is president of the Apple Valley Chapter of VAAEYC, said 80 pieces of art are on display at Laurel Ridge, and 16 families, as well as directors of area preschools and childcare centers, Laurel Ridge students and employees, attended an opening reception on April 8.
“It was a fun success with families very appreciative of the opportunity for their children’s artwork to be on public display and a chance to create a memorable experience,” said Professor Strickler, who previously was a director of a Winchester preschool. “The directors were hoping we would consider doing this again next year, and the Apple Valley chapter is happy to cosponsor future events.”
Students with the Future Educators Academy, a lab school at Laurel Ridge for high school students planning to become teachers, helped with getting the art hung.
“They’re also writing letters of advocacy on why art is important for child development,” said Professor Strickler.
She added the letters have been framed and are part of the exhibit.
Founded in 1970, Laurel Ridge Community College is a multi-campus public institution of higher education. With three locations — Middletown, Warrenton, and Luray-Page County — the College serves eight localities in the Shenandoah Valley and northern Piedmont regions. The localities are the counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren and the city of Winchester. Laurel Ridge offers more than 75 associate degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Laurel Ridge also serves the business community by offering workforce preparation programs for employees and employers. Laurel Ridge serves more than 9,000 unduplicated credit students and more than 11,000 individuals in professional development and business and industry courses annually.
Laurel Ridge Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Laurel Ridge Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Laurel Ridge Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Laurel Ridge Community College is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services, and activities. Laurel Ridge shall promote and maintain equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, age (except when age is a bona fide occupational qualification), status as a veteran, national origin, or other non-merit factors. Laurel Ridge also prohibits sexual misconduct including sexual violence or harassment. Inquiries may be directed to the Associate Vice President, Human Resources, [email protected], 173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, VA 22645, 540-868-7226.
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.