DANBURY, Connecticut — Western Connecticut State University will present an Opening Reception and Award Ceremony for its second biennial High School Student Art Showcase from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2026, in The Gallery at the Visual & Performing Arts Center on the university’s Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury. The Showcase will feature works created by student artists who attend public, private, or homeschool secondary education institutions in Connecticut. The Opening Reception and Award Ceremony are free and open to the public. RSVP at www.eventbrite.com/e/wcsu-2026-high-school-student-art-showcase-reception-awards-ceremony-tickets-1987637068979.
The students’ submitted works have been divided into four categories: Painting, Drawing/Illustration, Photography, and 3-D Small Works. At the May 31 event, 15 winners will be announced: first, second and third place in each of the four categories; and first, second and third place overall. Category winners will receive gift cards, sponsored by Jerry’s Artarama of Norwalk. The three overall winners will receive partial cash scholarships to attend WestConn as Art students, upon their application and acceptance into the program.
Eighty-one works from 55 high school students were selected for inclusion in the competition and exhibition, which will be on view from Sunday, May 31, through Sunday, June 14, 2026. Gallery Hours are Tuesday to Friday, noon to 4 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at The Gallery at the Visual & Performing Arts Center, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury.
Listed by school or educational affiliation, the following students’ art was selected for the competition and exhibition:
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
For more information, go to www.eventbrite.com/e/wcsu-2026-high-school-student-art-showcase-reception-awards-ceremony-tickets-1987637068979 or contact the Department of Art at (203) 837-8403.
Western Connecticut State University changes lives by providing all students with a high-quality education that fosters their growth as individuals, scholars, professionals, and leaders in a global society. Our vision: To be widely recognized as a premier public university with outstanding teachers and scholars who prepare students to contribute to the world in a meaningful way.