Pensacola, Fla.: Each year, the Pensacola Museum of Art, in partnership with the Escambia County School District, presents the Youth Art Focus exhibition, highlighting the best work from art students and educators from Escambia County Schools. Since its first year in 1954, Youth Art Focus has created an opportunity to expose students to the fine art world in a professional museum environment while giving the public a chance to experience and appreciate the accomplishments of Escambia County’s Fine Art Education Programs.
There are over 700 works in the exhibition each year. Both middle and high school student works are juried with winners selected for first, second and third place in five different media categories, as well as a best in show, and two awards for outstanding artistic achievement. Educator works are also juried and winners are selected for first, second and third, as well as a best in show.
High School Best in Show:
Mariah Richburg | “Cortes†| Pensacola High
High School Winners:
Painting:
3rd: Makayla Amante | “Self Portrait†| Escambia High
2nd: Haleigh Johnson | “Lilith†| Escambia High
1st: Roman Bassett | “Sunset at the Beach†| Pensacola High
Drawing:
3rd: Alex Southard | “Floating through the Smoke†| West Florida High
2nd: Emilee Norris | “Classy†| JM Tate High
1st: Andrew Enkey | “Concrete Feathers†| West Florida High
Photography / Digital Arts:
3rd: Lana Carter | “Waterfall†| Pensacola High
2nd: Kiromi Martes | “California Vibes†| Pensacola High
1st: Kaitlyn Kuehmeier | “Reflected Pool†| JM Tate High
3-Dimensional Works:
3rd: Alex Szymansri | “Red†| JM Tate High
2nd: Joshua Scott | “Mood Swings†| JM Tate High
1st: Selma Milan | “Bozo Box†| Escambia High
2-Dimensional Works (Printmaking, Mixed Media, etc.)
3rd: Chloe Babin | “Kaleidoscope of Music†| West Florida High
2nd: Mykayla Derouin | “Clementine†| JM Tate High
1st: Sarah McCain | “Bandaids†| BT Washington High
Outstanding Artistic Achievement:
Ashley Copp | “Headspace†| Pine Forest High
Bella Minshew | “Up†| BT Washington High
Middle School Winners:
Painting:
3rd: Maci Glenn-Moore | “First Light“ | Workman Middle
2nd: Charlee Delacruz | “Winter is Coming†| Beulah Middle
1st: Madison Hatcher | “Writer’s Block†| Beulah Middle
Drawing:
3rd: James Tutol | “Grimace†| Jim C. Bailey Middle
2nd: Han Gia Nyugen | “J-HOPE†| Beulah Middle
1st: Chloe Mandocdoc | “Day of the Dead†| Bellview Middle
Photography / Digital Arts:
3rd: Kaitlyn Graves | “Stepping Out†| Jim C. Bailey Middle
2nd: Isabella Carnes | “Sidewalk Scenes†| Beulah Middle
1st: Trista Peaden | “Windows†| Ransom Middle
3-Dimensional Works:
3rd: Elizabeth Lawyer | “Dog†| Bailey Middle
2nd: Donta’ Hall | “Neon City†| Bellview Middle
1st: Parker Mims | “Dinosaur Egg†| Ransom Middle
2-Dimensional Works (Printmaking, Mixed Media, etc)
3rd: Chloe Loughridge | “Untitled†| Ferry Pass Middle
2nd: Aubrey Jones | “Egyptian Royalty†| Bellview Middle
1st: Karma Leonard | “Wave Runner†| Bellview Middle
Outstanding Artistic Achievement:
Jaymes Lingenfelter | “Poinsettia†| Hope Horizon
Steven Schwartz | “Chilly Penguin†| Westgate
Educator Winners:
Educator Best in Show: Winston Foster | “Eastern Star†| Beulah Middle
3rd: Megan Brees | “Untitled†| Montclair Elementary
2nd: Matthew Brabham | “Florida Man†| Molino Park Elementary
1st: Cat Roberts | “The Roberts Girls: Pineapple Magnolia & Lilly†| Pine Forest High
Honorable Mention:
Rebecca Burt | “Kristen’s†| McArthur Elementary
The Pensacola Museum of Art welcomes kids of all ages on Saturday, February 12 for Youth Arts Day at the PMA from 1-4pm. This free event gives kids the chance to sample the visual and performing arts through artmaking activities and performances by the Pensacola Opera, the Pensacola Children’s Chorus, and the Pensacola Little Theater. Visitors can also enjoy the 68th Annual Youth Art Focus exhibition, which is currently on view until February 27th.
