LOWELL, MA – Several Wang Middle School students were recognized for their artistic abilities at a reception held by Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union on Thursday, March 10th. The students’ artwork is now showcased at Jeanne D’Arc’s Lowell Branch on Merrimack Street, taking their talents from the classroom into the public for all to see. “This is a wonderful way to support local students and we are happy to show off their amazing work,” said Mark S. Cochran, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union. “Over the years, the art has sparked many positive comments from our members and visitors who are highly impressed by the talent of these children,” he added. From early March to the end of May, the artwork of 14 students in grades 6-8 will be displayed on the shelves of Jeanne D’Arc’s Lowell Branch. The colorful artwork demonstrates 160 various techniques of art and brings fun to the branch building. At the reception, the proud students showed off their pieces to their parents, enjoyed cookies and refreshments and received certificates of achievement for their hard work and accomplishments. “The boost of confidence gives the kids a reason to do it, said Marta Magnus, Wang Middle School Art Teacher. “It’s so important that they are acknowledged for what they do,” she added. In 2011, Magnus thought her students should be recognized for their unique and individual efforts. Using her own money and the free time she had, she approached local businesses with the idea to have her student’s artwork displayed in their buildings. “I just thought, we have such talented kids, we need to get their work out into the public,” said Magnus. Since then, Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union has been the only area business that has continued with the innovative partnership by exhibiting the art pieces and rotating them out every few months to give more students the opportunity throughout the school year and into the summer. Area residents are encouraged to stop by the Lowell Branch, located at 581 Merrimack Street, to view the students’ inspiring artwork. Photo: Celebrating the artwork of Wang Middle School students, (from left, back row) Gratia Gosselin, Financial Education Specialist at Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, Maura Clark, Assistant Treasurer-Branch Manager at Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union’s Lowell Branch, (front row, from left) Marta Magnus, Wang Middle School Art Teacher, Moussa Dienta, Grade 7, Katie Neves, Grade 7, João Pires, Grade 6, Alana Harris, Grade 6, Natasha Gallego, Grade 7, Viona Kamoni, Grade 6, and Stephany Deassis, Grade 6, gather at the reception held on Thursday afternoon at Jeanne D’Arc’s Lowell Branch, where the art pieces are displayed. About Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union: Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union was established in 1912 and is a full-service, member-owned community-based financial cooperative with more than 70,000 members and $1.1 billion in assets. It operates seven full-service branches in Lowell, Dracut (2), Tyngsboro, Chelmsford, Methuen and Westford, Massachusetts; high-school branches at Lowell High and Dracut High schools; a loan center in Lowell; and mortgage centers in Chelmsford and North Reading.