We are proud to announce that our fine arts students have once again had incredible success in the 2026 Scholastic Art Awards Competition. The Scholastic Art Awards provide students with meaningful opportunities for recognition, exhibition, publication, and scholarships. Supported by their visual arts teachers and community mentors, students submit their strongest work, which is reviewed by a panel of art professionals. Judging focuses on originality, technical skill, and the development of personal vision. Artwork earning a Gold Key or American Vision Nomination at the regional level will automatically advance to national adjudication in early spring 2026. National results will be announced on March 25, 2026, and published on artandwriting.org.
Our Collegiate fine arts students were honored with 44 total awards, ranging from Honorable Mention to Gold Keys. This year’s competition included over 1,600 entries from more than 40 high schools in Southeast Kansas, regardless of school size. Our students’ talent has been consistently recognized, making us one of the highest awarded schools in the state year after year.
Artwork receiving American Vision Nominations, Gold Key, or Silver Key awards will be displayed at Mark Arts as part of the Eastern Kansas Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition, running from February 6 through March 28, 2026. This exhibition highlights exceptional artwork created by middle and high school students from 70 counties across Kansas. There will be an Exhibition Opening Reception on Friday, February 6, from 4–6 PM to view the regional award-winning artwork. Enjoy live music from USD 259 musical groups, a photo opportunity by Lamphouse Photo Co. This is a come-and-go event; guests are welcome to arrive at any time during the event hours. For more information and RSVP links, click HERE.
Middle School Award Recipients
Blaze Beran – Digital Painting/Collage, Honorable Mention
Charlie Myers – Illustration, Honorable Mention
Upper School Award Recipients
Mia Felice – Painting, GOLD
Mia Felice – Painting, SILVER
Mia Felice – Honorable Mention
Lanie Kater – Photography, GOLD
Olivia Kennedy – Mixed Media, Honorable Mention
Acacia Knight – Photography, GOLD
Acacia Knight – Photography, Honorable Mention
Jaden Lichty – Photography, GOLD
Alisa Lin – Painting, GOLD
Alisa Lin – Painting, SILVER
Clare Marquardt – Digital Painting/Collage, Honorable Mention
Margie Michaelis – Painting, Honorable Mention
Margie Michaelis – Mixed Media, SILVER
James Nolan – Photography, Honorable Mention
Kai Pearson – Mixed Media, Honorable Mention
Vivian Pigg – Mixed Media, GOLD
Charlotte Pigg – Painting, Honorable Mention
Charlotte Pigg – Illustration, Honorable Mention
Cameron Reilly – Photography, Honorable Mention
Kelsey Rooney – Photography, Honorable Mention
Kelsey Rooney – Photography, Honorable Mention
Kelsey Rooney – Photography, Honorable Mention
Nicole Rooney – Mixed Media, SILVER
Camden Salyers – Painting, SILVER
Clare Schupbach – Digital Painting, GOLD
Giana Shuart – Photography, Honorable Mention
Giana Shuart – Photography, Honorable Mention
Sadhakshi Sivaraman – Photography Portfolio (6 works), Honorable Mention
Cal Solomon – Painting, Honorable Mention
Chloe Souraty – Photography, SILVER
Emme Strickland – Photography, GOLD
Emme Strickland – Photography, SILVER
Sam Taylor – Photography, SILVER
Max Timsah – Painting, Honorable Mention
Peter Todorov – Photography, Honorable Mention
Nate Toon – Photography, Honorable Mention
Maddox Wares – Photography, Honorable Mention
Omnia Wakil – Photography, Honorable Mention
Lily Webber – Painting, Honorable Mention
Lily Webber – Painting, Honorable Mention
Lily Webber – Painting, SILVER
Lily Webber – Painting, SILVER
Congratulations to all of our student artists for their exceptional work and well-deserved recognition!