"My parents say that I learned how to draw before I learned how to speak – that it became my first 'language'," said Matsuyama. "Whenever I was looking for something I would just draw a picture of it and they'd know what I was talking about."

Matsuyama's artwork is on display at Veridian Credit Union's Ankeny branch at 1201 S. Ankeny Blvd. as part of a partnership with Ankeny High School's Visual Arts Department. ArtShare is an award-winning program created by Veridian to give artists like Matsuyama exposure in the community, something it did for Matsuyama's sister, Yuuki, in 2009.

"The impact of seeing ones artwork professionally matted and framed and hanging in a prominent place of business is very meaningful to these students," said David Zuck, art teacher at Ankeny High School.

There are 35 original works of art by Ankeny High School students on display at Veridian. The mediums range from digital photography and paintings to pottery.

"One of my favorite parts of art is how diverse it can be," said Matsuyama. "It can be a logo at a company, a painting from the Renaissance, a dance performed on the street, or an electropop song on the radio. Art has no set definition."

On Thursday, January 13, Matsuyama and her classmates will have a chance to share their work with their family, friends and community during Veridian's ArtShare Premiere. The event includes refreshments, door prizes, a program identifying the artists featured and a map of where to view each work of art. It's a professional caliber event that Zuck says gives his students a sense of pride.

"I feel honored to be selected for the program," said Matsuyama. "It's a good chance for me to show my skill and broaden my horizons."

"Giving back to our community is part of our mission as an organization," said Michele Starkenburg, branch supervisor of Veridian's Ankeny branch. "This program allows us to make a real impact with these students."

The works of art will continue to be on display at Veridian Credit Union, 1201 S. Ankeny Boulevard, in Ankeny, through December 2011. The public is invited to the premiere on January 13, 5-7 p.m. and to view the pieces anytime during regular business hours.

In addition to Matsuyama, Ankeny High School students featured in the premiere are: Cody Bock, Taylor Brannan, Alex Champagne, Annie Clendenen, Elizabeth Cooley, Kelsey Fredregill, Marinda Fuller, Ashley Hemphill, Hanna Hermanson, Kayla Johnson, Dajana Jugovic, Richelle Manuel, Brandon Montgomery, Jaeger Nesbit, Lexi Palmersheim, Santino Reed, Dakota Reid, Jessica Ross, Matt Schabacker, Chad Schultz, Will Simpkins, Kiley Spoth, Trey Thiel, Genevieve Thomas, Laura Turner, Kassandra Walsh, Laura Webber, Kirsten Wedewer, Madeline Whisler and MacKailey Yetter.

Veridian Credit Union, founded in 1934 in Waterloo, Iowa, is a not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members. The credit union offers a full range of consumer financial services and employs more than 500 Iowans throughout 24 branches, including five locations in the Des Moines metro area. For more information, visit www.veridiancu.org or call (800) 235-3228.

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For Immediate Release
January 7, 2011

Photos Available:

Photo A: "Erika Matsuyama (right), pictured with Michele Starkenburg, Veridian branch supervisor (left), is one of more than 30 Ankeny High School students whose work has been selected for Veridian Credit Union’s ArtShare program."