Western Connecticut State University to host high school student art showcase

Western Connecticut State University is preparing to host the opening reception and award ceremony for its second biennial High School Student Art Showcase. The event will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, at The Gallery at the Visual & Performing Arts Center on the university’s Westside campus in Danbury.

The exhibition features 81 selected works created by 55 secondary school students representing public, private, and homeschool institutions across Connecticut. Attendees can view the collection at 43 Lake Avenue Extension through Sunday, June 14, 2026. The opening reception and ceremony are free to attend, and organizers request that visitors register in advance online.

Submitted artwork is organized into four distinct competitive categories: painting, drawing/illustration, photography, and 3-D small works. Judges will announce 15 total winners during the May 31 event. Awards will be presented for first, second, and third place within each category, alongside three overall top placements.

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Category winners will receive gift cards sponsored by Jerry’s Artarama of Norwalk. The three overall winners will be awarded partial cash scholarships to attend WestConn as art students, which will be applied upon their application and formal acceptance into the university program.

The participating students selected for the competition and exhibition include:

Bethel High School: Emilia Inga Ortega, Macy Johnson, Jayden Solis, Jowell Solis, Karina Tran
Bridgeport Military Academy: Ana Oliveira
Cardinal Kung Academy (Stamford): Isidora Horsting
Danbury High School: Amaya Brown, Alice Coelho, Alana da Silva, Colleen Espinoza, Jennifer Grady, Ellie Moore, Ryan Navarro, Angie Piedra, Pietra Rodrigues, Katherine Suarez, Miriam Young
Homeschooled: Sofia Gomez (Bridgeway Academy), Maggie Pouder (Region 12 Shepaug)
Newtown High School: Katherine Allen, Violet Assante-LaBash, Eileen Celli, Maya Chaudhary, Lilly Kohley, Lily McCrory, Chloe Minter, Lillian Padilla, Estelle Skerik, Morrigan Thorflyn
Orville H. Platt High School (Meriden): Cassidi Cortes
Watertown High School: Nicole Buckley, Kendall Croke, Emily Cronan, Elena Welcome
Westover School (Middlebury): Nicole Etchie, Lucy Sunshine
Wethersfield High School: John Adams, Emily Allen, Michael Ber, Ardita Boshtrakaj, Jacob Camilleri, Isabel Dee, Koda Fairservis, Jada Guadez, Liliana Gugliotti, Joseph Htoo, Evgenia Milios, Violett Ramirez, Dean Rowell, Zelda Walsh, Catherine Webster, Haley Williams
Wilbur L. Cross High School (New Haven): Levi Rosario
William H. Hall High School (West Hartford): Elias Erik-Soussi

Following the opening ceremony, regular gallery viewing hours will run Tuesday through Friday from noon to 4:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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Western Connecticut State University to host high school student art showcase