11th Annual Youth Art Exhibition Kicks Off the New Year at Phillips’ Mill
As the new year dawns, Phillips’ Mill Community Association is proud to feature the annual Youth Art Exhibition showcasing dynamic artwork from local high school students. Now in its 11th year, the exhibition opens at the historic Mill on January 28 and runs on weekends through February 18.
Working in collaboration with school art teachers who curate the artwork submitted, the show features paintings, works on paper, photography, digital art and three-dimensional work. There are 23 schools participating this year, including Central Bucks High School East, Central Bucks High School South, Central Bucks High School West, Council Rock High School North, Council Rock High School South, Ewing High School, George School, Hillsborough High School, Holy Ghost Preparatory School, Hopewell Valley Central High School, Hunterdon Central Regional High School, Neshaminy High School, New Hope-Solebury High School, Pennsbury High School, Princeton Day School, Solebury School, Stuart Country Day School, The Hun School, The Pennington School, Upper Dublin High School, West Windsor-Plainsboro South, and new participants, The Cambridge School in Pennington and Lawrenceville’s Notre Dame High School.
The Youth Art Exhibition gives these young artists a taste of what it’s like to be a professional artist. “We display the students’ art the same way we display the prestigious Phillips’ Mill Juried Art Show, so it is very professionally done,” explains Kathy Schroeher, founder and co-chair of the show. “It’s great for the students to see their work in a beautiful space and professional gallery. It’s different from having it shown at your high school art show. They get the chance to reach a much broader audience, and they can see what the other kids are doing.”
Over a decade since its debut, teachers continue to express their enthusiasm for the Youth Art Exhibition. “It is our most favorite show!” commented Allison Levin of Central Bucks High School West. Helene Moriarty of Central Bucks High School East added, “We always look forward to this show!”
Esteemed artist Mel Leipzig will serve as the show’s awards juror this year. Leipzig’s work is in the collections of the Whitney Museum of American Art, the National Academy Museum and the Cooper-Hewitt Museum in New York City; the New Jersey State Museum; and the Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers, among numerous others. As the show’s juror, he will lend his expertise, awarding a number of prizes, including Best in Show.
Youth Art Exhibition students have gone on to enjoy various successes after participating in the Phillips’ Mill shows, including acceptances to art colleges. Annika Crawford, who won the Best in Show award in 2022, submitted a painting to this year’s 94th Juried Art Show at Phillips’ Mill. It was accepted and sold!
The Youth Art Exhibition is truly a gift to the community, schools and students. The Mill charges no fees to schools or students participating in the show. There are no fees charged to view the gallery at the Mill, and the proceeds of any sales go entirely to the artists. Awards are funded by generous Mill members and patrons of the show. To lend your support in championing these talented young artists, visit https://www.phillipsmill.org/art/youth-art-exhibition. Support of this show truly helps develop the artists of the future.
Banner Photo: A Small Journey by Haylee Wisinski
