Leon County’s Young Artists Shine at Student Exhibition

News Summary

On March 6, Leon County celebrated the creativity of its young artists at the 38th Mahaska Whitley Student Exhibition. The event showcased nearly 300 artworks by 129 students, highlighting their diverse talents. A total of $7,100 in awards and scholarships were distributed to 21 winners, fostering their artistic journeys. The exhibition runs until April 5, encouraging community support for local talent.

Leon County’s Young Artists Shine at the 38th Mahaska Whitley Student Exhibition

It was a vibrant and inspiring scene in Leon County on March 6, as nearly 300 community members, including family, friends, and art aficionados flocked to LeMoyne Arts for the grand opening of the much-anticipated 38th Mahaska Whitley Student Exhibition: High School Art and Senior Portfolio Competition. This annual event is a fantastic opportunity for high school students across the county to showcase their incredible creativity and skill in a professional art gallery setting.

A Healthy Dose of Creativity and Talent

This year, 129 young artists took part in the exhibition, presenting a stunning assortment of artworks. From ceramics and paintings to sculptures, drawings, costuming, fiber arts, digital art, and photography, the exhibit truly reflected the diverse talents of Leon County high school students. Each piece tells a story, displaying not just the technical skills of the artists, but their unique perspectives and visions as young creators.

Big Rewards for Young Dreamers

As a testament to the community’s commitment to nurturing young talent, a total of $7,100 in awards and scholarships was distributed to 21 aspiring artists. These awards were greatly facilitated by the generous support of local businesses and community members. Winners were honored with scholarships and gift cards for art supplies, fueling their artistic journeys as they prepare for their next steps in life.

A Celebration of Hard Work

Parents and friends beamed with pride as they snapped photos of the young artists, celebrating their achievements. The exhibition isn’t just about awards; it’s a heartwarming celebration of hard work and creativity. The event aims to inspire students to engage with the arts throughout their lives, promoting a culture of appreciation and involvement in creative endeavors.

History and Vision Behind the Exhibition

The Mahaska Whitley Student Exhibition was born from the vision of Mahaska Whitley, a dedicated former art teacher, and Dick L. Puckett, the founding Executive Director of LeMoyne Arts. Their goal was to provide a platform for young artists and encourage them to further their arts education. This mission continues today, with LeMoyne collaborating closely with local high school art teachers to curate an event that celebrates student artwork.

Expert Judging Panel for Fairness and Integrity

Community members who attended also witnessed a professional judging process, making sure the students receive recognition based on merit. An anonymous panel of judges included talented professionals from Florida State University and Florida A&M University, who evaluated the artworks based on criteria such as originality, professional quality, and aesthetic quality.

Exciting Categories and Talented Winners

The exhibition featured multiple categories of student work, with each category showcasing several winners, except for the coveted Founder’s Award, which highlights one outstanding artwork. Winners in the Senior Portfolio category were awarded valuable scholarships, while other category winners received gift cards for art supplies, allowing them to pursue their artistic endeavors further.

The exhibition will remain open to the public until April 5, welcoming visitors to the LeMoyne Arts Gallery located at 125 N. Gadsden St. The gallery operates from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, providing ample opportunity for art lovers to support the young talent of Leon County.

Meet the Winners of 2025 Mahaska Whitley Student Exhibition

• Marina Stolley Villanueva (SAIL) – $1,000 for “Into You I See”
• Dallas Maynard (SAIL) – $1,000 for “In the Manner Of”
• Sophia Calvert (SAIL) – $1,000 for “Bite”
• Haylie Carver (SAIL) – $1,000 for “Alexus”
• Liliana Pittman (Lincoln) – $500 for “Driving Blind”
• Summer Wade (Lincoln) – $500 for “Never the Last Supper”
• Olivia Lefils-Roberts (SAIL) – $500 for “Vexation”
• Yohan Hopgood (Lincoln) – $500 for “HE!ST”
• Zyra Ward (FSUS) – $500 for “Exhausted Melt”
• Emmalin Starnes (Leon) – Artwork “Ava”
• Laila Alexander (Chiles) – Artwork “Not Perfect”
• Jiya Patel (FSUS) – Artwork “Draconis”
• Jurzi Williams (FSUS) – Artwork “Break Every Chain”
• Violet Ashley (Lincoln) – Artwork “Lilium”
• Niko Echeverry (FSUS) – Artwork “Judgment/Release”
• Antonia Wollmerstaedt (FSUS) – Artwork “Kaeferchen”
• Marisol Cervantes (FSUS) – Artwork “Hyphenated”
• Zyan Ramos-Claudio (FSUS) – Artwork “Isla del Encanto”
• Riley Baker (Chiles) – Artwork “The Abyss”
• Sarah Satterfield (Leon) – Artwork “Elizabeth”
• Elizabeth Vigil (SAIL) – Artwork “Untitled”

The Mahaska Whitley Student Exhibition is a delightful reminder of the artistic talent thriving in our community. It brings together families, friends, and art lovers in a celebration of creativity that is sure to inspire the next generation of artists in Leon County.

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Additional Resources

• Tallahassee.com: LeMoyne Celebrates Tallahassee’s Young Artists
• Wikipedia: Art Exhibition
• Tallahassee.com: Art Competition for Inmates
• Google Search: Art Exhibition Tallahassee
• The Famuan: Youth Art Exhibition
• Google Scholar: Student Art Exhibitions
• Tallahassee.com: Youth Art at Winter Fest
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Importance of Art Education
• Tallahassee.com: Visuals and Music at Winter Fest
• Google News: Art Events Tallahassee