Many of us remember that one teacher who made a difference in our lives. Maybe they inspired us to work a little harder, dream a little bigger, and dig a little deeper into our strengths and aspirations. They helped us feel good about ourselves and gave us the tools and confidence we needed to pursue our passions.
Nothing makes a teacher prouder than to see their student achieve their goals, whatever they may be. It's the kind of pride that is on display every year at the Mill, when the Youth Art Exhibition opens and students stand beside their artwork, professionally hung in the same building and on the same walls as the work of the famed Pennsylvania Impressionists decades ago.
“Teachers love coming to the preview party. They love seeing what other schools are doing. Most of all, they love seeing their students’ work on display,” says Kathy Schroeher, who established the Youth Art Exhibition more than a decade ago and now serves as co-chair.
“I was president of the Phillips' Mill Community Association many years back. My theory was that the Mill should never be empty, yet it was a dead space in January,” she says. "What better way to open up the space to the community during an otherwise slow time of year than by presenting an inspiring youth art show? I really love seeing the historic Mill full of art and energy during the winter months."
As a former committee chair of the prestigious Juried Art Show, Schroeher understood the amount of time and energy that went into that show, and designed the Youth Art Exhibition to be easy on the volunteers. “I thought, why not have area art teachers select student artwork and bring it to the Mill? We would hang it and promote the show, and keep the Mill open to visitors for four weekends.”
While only a handful of schools participated its inaugural year in 2013, the show has grown to include about 22 to 25 schools each year. Schroeher and co-chair Susan Brussock would love to see even more schools get involved. “It's always wonderful when new schools participate; we love welcoming new groups of students. The Youth Art Exhibition is a unique opportunity to see what young folks are doing and feeling. The work is often emotional. You can come to the Mill and share that feeling of pride, of awe of each student’s accomplishments, with the whole community—teachers, parents, art enthusiasts. It is such a wonderful feeling,” says Schroeher.
There also aren’t many opportunities for high school students to exhibit their work in local art shows, which is a wonderful resume- as well as a confidence-builder. “Showing your work in a professional exhibition like Phillips’ Mill is really huge. It’s something to put on your college application, especially if you win an award,” says Erika Fairchild, head of the Visual Arts Department at the Solebury School in New Hope. “We’ve been in the Youth Art Exhibition every year since it started, about 12 years ago.”
The Solebury School has a long and unique history with Phillips’ Mill that dates back several decades. “We are aligned philosophically and historically with Phillips’ Mill. Our school was co-founded by Julian Lathrop, son of the famous Pennsylvania landscape artist William Lathrop, who is often referred to as the ‘Father of the New Hope Art Colony.’ Our founders met at summer camp years ago, where they observed how kids were much more excited about learning at camp than they were about regular school,” Fairchild explains.
To this day, the Solebury School, while not an arts school, places great value on the kind of experiential learning that happens when kids participate in the arts. “We love how Phillips’ Mill gives young artists a chance to display their work and be awarded for their achievements,” adds visual art teacher Kirby Fredendall, also of the Solebury School. She encourages all teachers at schools within a 25-mile radius of the Mill to consider being part of this very special show. “They make it so easy to participate, too.”
The show is curated by area art teachers and features paintings, works on paper, photography, digital art and three-dimensional art. Each school can submit up to five (5) two-dimensional works and two (2) three-dimensional works each year. Of the selected artwork, a juror chooses winners in each of the categories above, plus “Best in Show.” Students receive a cash award, along with the recognition. The juror for the 2025 show will be Trenton-area artist Mabel “Freda” Williams, whose paintings reflect a love of color, nostalgia, cultural experiences and political impressions.
“We love the Phillips’ Mill show and have been participating since it began. There is so much history there. But also the prizes are juried by well-known artists. So it’s essentially a juried show, which gives the kids a taste of what it’s like to be an artist, getting your work selected, seeing it on display in some place other than your own school. And a lot of people see the show,” says Helene Moriarty, who has been teaching art at Central Bucks East since 2006 and organizes the Youth Art Exhibition participants each year.
“Kids on the sports teams get so much recognition. It’s nice to shine a spotlight on art students. It supports the art programs at the participating schools as well. There is no other show in the area like it.”
Contact Susan Brussock, co-chair of the Youth Art Exhibition, at youth-art@phillipsmill.org for more information.
