Artistic Expressions
High School Art Invitational
About the Annual High School Art Invitational
Information for Art and Photography Teachers
To find out more about participating in the 2009 Invitational, view instructions for submissions
The High School Art Invitational features artwork by local students.
What it is
Each year, art teachers from Pima County high schools and charter schools are invited to select up to, but no more than, five pieces of their students' work to submit for display.
Who selects the winners
A jury of community members with an active interest in art reviews all submissions and selects winners in various categories of media.
What the winners get
Every participating student receives a ribbon, with the winners in the various categories receiving prize ribbons and a gift award. After the winners are selected, a reception and awards ceremony is held for the students, their family, friends, and teachers. The ribbons, awards and reception are all made possible through the generous support of the Friends of the Pima County Public Library.
How it all started
The High School Art Invitational had its beginnings fourteen years ago when the art exhibit coordinator at that time, Rona Rosenberg, saw it as a way of combining the March celebration of "Art Month" and the April celebration of "Teen Month." The idea was a great success and over the years has developed into a well-established tradition. Each year the exhibit is a source of inspiration and wonder as we are reminded of the talent and vision that exists in Tucson's young people.
2009 Winners
More than 90 items were received for the 14th Annual High School Art Invitational and were exhibited from March 14 to April 27, 2009 in the Gallery at the Joel D. Valdez Main library.
View photos of 2009 High School Art Invitational on Flickr.
- Best of Painting
- Italian Hillside
- Rachel Childers, Ironwood Ridge High School
- Best of Drawing
- Self-Portrait in Red, Yellow and Blue
- Alex Nesler, Ironwood Ridge High School
- Best of Mixed/Other Media
- Vessel of the Earth
- Tania Verdugo, Pueblo Magnet High School
- Best of Photography
- Behind Blue Eyes
- Chloe Tarvin, Canyon Del Oro High School
- Best of Sculpture
- Bikes and Toys
- Kemper Brightman, Tucson High Magnet School
- Special Recognition
- Regeneration: The New Creation
- Yesica Aguirre, Sabino High School
2008 Winners
More than 60 items were received for the 13th Annual High School Art Invitational and were exhibited from March 15 to April 28, 2008 in the Gallery at the Joel D. Valdez Main library.
View photos of 2008 High School Art Invitational on Flickr.
- Best of Painting
- Anomaly of Apathy by Tori Oswald
- Ironwood Ridge High School
- Best of Drawing
- Dan Bunnell by Hope Bunnell
- Tucson Accelerated High School
- Best of Collage/Mixed Media
- Dinner with John Waters by Kiley Burgess
- Ironwood Ridge High School
- Best of Photography
- Dharma by Ruthe Foushee
- Tucson High Magnet School
- Best of Sculpture
- Untitled by Casity Westrich
- Ironwood Ridge High School
2007 Winners
More than 50 items were received for the Twelfth Annual High School Art Invitational and were exhibited from March 17 to April 28, 2007 in the Gallery at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library.
- Best of Show
- Old Man Barbie by Rachel Childers
- Ironwood Ridge High School
- First Place - Two-dimensional
- Jazz and Blues by Sean Smith
- Sabino High School
- First Place - Three-dimensional
- Glass by Heather Stinger
- Tucson High School
- First Place - Photography
- Childhood by Sarah Wendt
- Sabino High School
2006 Winners
More than 70 items were received for the Eleventh Annual High School Art Invitational and were exhibited from March 25 to April 29, 2006 in the Gallery at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library.
- Best of Show
- Marionette Swing Dancer by Alexandrea N. Armstrong
- Tucson High School
- First Place - Two-dimensional
- Self-portrait by Shea McInnis
- Ironwood Ridge High School
- First Place - Three-dimensional
- The Third Delirium by Lucas Burruel
- Salpointe High School
- First Place - Photography
- Autumn Girl by Taylor Cleland
- Canyon del Oro High School