For teacher Matt Young, the opportunity to show artwork to peers and members of the local community is a thrill.

That exhilaration is something his students from Oak Harbor Middle School will be able to experience this week at the Teen Art Show, hosted by the Oak Harbor Library.

“They love to see their work on the wall with their peers and … different age groups in a public setting,” Young said.

“It’s a tremendous feeling of pride and accomplishment.”

This is the ninth year the Oak Harbor Library is hosting this art show, which features art made by middle- and high-school-aged artists, mostly from the schools, though librarian Anne Murphy says they accept art from other members of the community in that age group, as well.

“It’s just a great way to put the art out there in the community who might not be able to see it otherwise,” Murphy said.

The art show officially opens at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11. The opening night reception lasts two hours and usually sees more than 100 in attendance, according to Murphy.

Wildcat Catering will provide food for the event.

The public is welcome.

With artwork from more than 100 students in the district, there will be a lot to see at the library, including paintings and drawings, as well as ceramics and handmade jewelry.

“It’s been really fun every year, seeing how different the art is,” Murphy said. “The overall quality of the art is really good.”

Jennifer Yates, one of the high school’s art teachers, said that this show is the only one for the semester where the students get share their art with the community.

“They get the opportunity to show their work in a formal setting,” Yates said, “and experience hearing people talk about their work in that environment and experience what it’s like to be a part of an … art opening.”

The Teen Art Show will be available for viewing at the opening night reception 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Oak Harbor Library. The exhibit will also be on display Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.