CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore. — Oregon’s largest student art exhibition celebrated a decade of creativity on Tuesday, April 28, as the Clackamas Education Service District Regional Art Show showcased 232 student entries from across all 10 public school districts in Clackamas County.
The annual event, which has now featured more than 1,600 student artworks over its 10-year history, brought together pieces from 29 middle and high schools and highlighted a wide range of artistic talent, technique, and expression. The show also marked a continued legacy that endured through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As Oregon’s largest student art show, this event represents something truly special,” said Clackamas ESD Superintendent Larry Didway. “It brings together students from every corner of Clackamas County and gives the community a chance to see the talent, perspective, and promise in our schools.”
A panel of judges evaluated submissions based on visual impact, originality, composition, technique, use of materials, and mastery of design principles.
Top honor awarded to Oregon City middle school student
This year’s Best in Show award went to Miles Stolte, an eighth grader at Tumwata Middle School in Oregon City, for a painting that judges praised for its creativity, technical execution, and emotional depth.
Judges described the work as a “very creative idea” for its imaginative combination of dogs and fruit, also noting “great brushwork and outstanding original imagery.”
Stolte’s piece received the highest overall score among hundreds of entries and also earned first place in the eighth-grade division, the Drawing and Painting medium award, and an Art Speaks Award—an honor selected by judges for artwork that conveyed especially powerful meaning.
“Miles’ work represents the kind of originality, skill, and emotional depth that make this show so powerful,” Didway said. “To earn Best in Show among hundreds of entries from across the county is an extraordinary achievement.”
Personal stories reflected through student artwork
Beyond technical excellence, many pieces in the show reflected deeply personal themes.
Marisa Tenorio-Newman, an eighth grader at Happy Valley Middle School, created a work honoring her late grandfather and celebrating her family’s heritage.
“I created my artwork to honor and remember my grandpa, who passed away last year,” she said. “He always supported my art, and I wanted to celebrate all that he did for me. I also wanted to honor his sister, who continues to fight for the rights of Mexican Americans and Hispanic people.”
Other award winners included Karina Secchi of West Linn High School, who placed first in the 12th-grade category for her piece “Animal Farm!” Judges praised its ambition and technical mastery, noting they were drawn back to it repeatedly.
Seventh grader Elijah Gohman of Wilsonville’s Wood Middle School earned recognition for “The Giant Waffle,” with judges highlighting its imagination and originality.
Expanded awards recognize artistic mediums
In response to educator feedback, the 2026 show introduced five new medium-specific award categories, allowing student artists to be recognized within their chosen disciplines.
This year’s winners included:
- Drawing and Painting: Miles Stolte, Tumwata Middle School
- Digital Art and Photography: Alex Trojan, Lake Oswego High School, “Focus”
- Ceramics and Sculpture: Chloe Penix, Alder Creek Middle School
- Graphic Design: Shuchi Qian, Lake Oswego High School, “Heartbeat and Gears”
- Mixed Media: Addalyn Hosely, Alder Creek Middle School, “Collage Portrait of Lizzo (inspired by Bisa Butler)”
Community support tops $100,000 in student awards
Student artists collectively received more than $100,000 in scholarships, classes, supplies, and other prizes funded by regional arts organizations, colleges, and community sponsors.
Contributing partners included Clackamas Community College, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Clackamas River Basin Council, Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts, One River School of Art and Design, OK You, and Venvino Art Studios.
“When community partners, artists, and educators come together to recognize young people, they are telling students that their creativity has value and that their voices matter,” Didway said.
Special honors highlight student voice and legacy
Additional awards recognized student expression and artistic impact:
- Staff Choice Award: Jonah Brundidge, Estacada Middle School, “Jane Goodall”
- Superintendent’s Choice Award: Kyrie Thoensen Metts, Welches Middle School, “Ephemeral”
The Superintendent’s Choice Award honors retired Clackamas ESD Superintendent Jada Rupley, who founded the Regional Art Show 10 years ago to elevate student voices through art.
Art Speaks Awards were also presented to several students, including Stolte, Secchi, and Gohman, among others.
Teachers credited for fostering student creativity
More than 30 educators were recognized for their role in guiding students through the creative process.
“This is one of the best art shows in Oregon because it’s young people expressing themselves on how they see and understand the world,” said Wood Middle School art teacher Troy Matthews. “It allows us to see the world through their perspective.”
Molalla River School District art teacher Tara Preston emphasized the importance of perseverance in the creative process.
“Every artist has a moment when they question whether they want to keep working on their art,” she said. “But they learn to push past that uncertainty, and in doing so, they create something amazing.”
A decade of artistic growth
As the Regional Art Show celebrates its 10th year, organizers say the event continues to reflect both artistic growth and the importance of creative expression in education.
“One of the gifts of evenings like this is that they remind us how much promise lives in our young people,” Didway said. “When students are given the chance to create, to express themselves, and to be seen, they help all of us imagine what is possible.”
A full list of winners is available on the Clackamas ESD website.
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