68th Annual High School Exhibition

Stella Thelen, “Crow”

Founded in 1919, the Santa Cruz Art League has long been a gathering place for artists to create, connect, and be seen. Since 1955, our annual High School Show has provided a professional gallery space for emerging artists across Santa Cruz County, now marking its 68th year. Each year, 80 to 200 students from public, private, charter, home, and at-risk schools showcase their creativity, many for the first time beyond the classroom. Over the decades, an estimated 8,400 young artists have benefited from this opportunity to share their voices and talents. This enduring tradition reflects the Art League’s grassroots commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists and inspiring them to dream big.

Artists who participate in the Santa Cruz Art League’s High School Show are featured in the Art League’s professional gallery and receive a complementary membership to the Art League, which gives them access to a community of local artists as well as opportunity to participate in several more exhibitions. Information on Santa Cruz Art League membership can be found here: SCAL Membership

This exhibition is a judged show with awards provided for first, second, and third place, and 3 honorable mentions. Additional awards may be given by Santa Cruz Art League instructors who see particular potential in their medium of expertise. This exhibit provides opportunity for young artists to engage with professional teaching artists and professional artists in the Santa Cruz community.

How to participate:

Artists wishing to enter their work in the 68th Annual High School Show will do so through their school’s art teacher. If you are a High School student and are interested in participating, please contact your art instructor and refer them to this page.

For instructors: Artwork submission forms will be sent out closer to the time of the exhibition. If you are interested in participating and wish to be contacted when the submission period is approaching, please click the button below to send us your information:

Navia Tershy, “African Elephant”