ArtSpace West exhibit highlights high school artists from across the West Valley

ArtSpace West is once again opening its doors to the next generation of artists, showcasing creative work from high school students across the West Valley in a growing annual exhibition that connects local schools with Arizona State University’s West Valley campus.

The exhibit features student artwork selected by high school teachers, with each school submitting up to five pieces that highlight the depth and diversity of young artistic talent in the region. Participating schools this year include Dysart, Shadow Ridge, Valley Vista, Willow Canyon, Centennial, Ironwood, Liberty, Cactus and Raymond S. Kellis high schools.

Now in its second year in collaboration with the Peoria Unified School District, and its first year including the Dysart Unified School District, the exhibit reflects a broader effort to build relationships between ASU and local arts programs.

“We felt it was imperative to collaborate with local high school art programs in our community,” said Charles St. Clair, faculty member in the School of Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies and curator of the exhibit. “We began with Stacy Hamilton of the Peoria Unified School District. There were several alumni in the administration who were very familiar with our West Valley campus.”

For many participating students, the exhibit represents a first opportunity to display their work in a university gallery. Teachers, families and peers gathered to celebrate the artists, emphasizing the importance of creative expression and community support in arts education.

St. Clair hopes to continue expanding the initiative in the coming years.

“It is our hope that we will include the Deer Valley School District next year as part of this honors juried exhibit,” he said.

By partnering with community schools and their young artists, ArtSpace West is strengthening connections between ASU and its surrounding communities and giving high school students a glimpse into their potential future as college-level artists.

The exhibit is open to the public Monday through Thursday from noon to 5 p.m. at ASU ArtSpace West.