The Art Party: High School Art Exhibition and Awards Ceremony at UW-Parkside

Published: November 18, 2024

KENOSHA, WI - Since 2016, UW-Parkside has celebrated the creativity of Southeast Wisconsin's high school artists through its annual Art Party event. The tradition continues with an exciting High School Art Exhibition and Awards Ceremony on Friday, Dec. 6, at the Emile Mathis Gallery in the Rita Tallent Picken Regional Center for Arts and Humanities. The Art Party is free and open to the public.

The Art Party invites high school art students to exhibit their best work in a professional gallery setting, offering them an invaluable opportunity to gain recognition and inspire their peers. This year's exhibition will feature over 70 artworks from 12 regional high schools, showcasing the extraordinary talent of students across Southeastern Wisconsin. While the majority of participating schools are based in Racine and Kenosha, the exhibition spans the region, with the schools hailing from across the state.

The doors will open at 3 p.m., with the arrival & welcome from 3:30-4 p.m. open house activities including a letterpress workshop in the 2D studio, a risograph printing in the print studio, a button making station, and a tour of the digital fabrication studio and painting studio will be offered from 4-5:20 p.m. The exhibition awards & party will take place from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

This year's exhibition will be juried by UW-Parkside art professors, who will present awards for painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, digital media, and best in show.

Past award winners have spoken about the impact this event has had on their creative journey. Last year, Grecia Tenorio from Bradford High School won Best Painting. Reflecting on the experience, she said, "Being an award winner made me feel really special and appreciated and, like, my hard work was worth it."

Abigail Russell of St. Joseph Catholic Academy, another featured artist, shared that the exhibition gave her a sense of accomplishment. "It was really cool to see a bunch of other students' work, and it was cool to feel appreciated. I hope one day to become an artist," Russell said.

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside is committed to high-quality educational programs, creative and scholarly activities, and services responsive to its diverse student population, and its local, national, and global communities. We are a dynamic learning community grounded in academic excellence and focused on student success, diversity, inclusion, and community engagement. The campus serves as a premier comprehensive public institution and a destination of choice, serving as a focal point of local, regional, and global progress.

Media Contact:

Colin Matthes
Gallery Director
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
[email protected]