What unique artistic practices have teachers and student artists developed in classrooms across Southern Arizona? What ideas do young artists want to express, and how do they do it through art? Artworks are chosen for the exhibition and submitted by local high school teachers.
This annual exhibition showcases the creativity and artistic achievement of high school artists across Tucson and Pima County. We are thrilled to highlight the technical skill and creative thought that these young artists possess.
This year, we also invited artworks connecting to themes from the work of Hank Willis Thomas and the exhibition Hank Willis Thomas: LOVERULES that will be on view alongside the high school exhibition.
- Love of self, others, community, the world. Love as a transforming force in the world. What does love look like in action?
- Media and pop culture: How do the media or images we see shape our view of the world and ourselves? What happens when artists re/use iconic or historical images or designs?
- Transformation: Re/using materials and images in new ways, changing your perspective, seeing something in a new light. How can art impact change in ourselves or in the world?
- Language, text, symbols: How does art communicate a message? Is the meaning of a word or image always the same?
Five participating artists are also chosen to receive the Outstanding Emerging High School Artist Award, selected by a jury of faculty from the University of Arizona School of Art and UAMA staff. In partnership with the School of Art, we are excited to offer $1,000 tuition awards to any Outstanding Emerging High School Artist awardee who enrolls as a BA or BFA major at the School of Art in the next two years. Jurors will judge artworks based on craft, originality, overall composition, and development of the idea or concept.
Outstanding Emerging Artist Award Winners (in alphabetical order)
Eric Andres Alvarez, Without Them | Cholla High School, Teacher: William Wiggins
Valeria Federico Madrigal, Octohibiscus | Salpointe Catholic High School, Teacher: Olivia Tuller
Sofia Lauver, Stepping with Our Ancestors | Sabino High School, Teacher: Leva Daly
Izzi Rosario, A Love of Knowledge | Ironwood Ridge High School, Teacher: Jill Menaugh
Makena Thompson, The Long Goodbye | Catalina Foothills High School, Teacher: Zoe Reinhardt
Honorable Mention (in alphabetical order)
Gigi Drachman, Watch Top | Sabino High School, Teacher: Michael Speir
Ellen Kim, Echoes of Tomorrow- The Sound of a Prayer | Catalina Foothills High School Teacher: Zoe Reinhardt
Yemi Weatherford, Humans and Nature | Tucson High Magnet School, Teacher: Mallory Shibe
Chloe Zhang, My Bouquet of Gratitude | Salpointe Catholic High School, Teacher: Betina Fink
If you are interested in participating in a future exhibition, please review the submission guidelines and contact Willa Ahlschwede, Assistant Curator of Education & Public Programs, with any questions.
