Young Artists Invited to Participate in County-wide Student Art Show
Celebrate the artistic excellence and genius expression of Hernando County’s youth in a Student Art Show during Art in the Park on March 8 and 9, 2025. Art in the Park is the Hernando County Fine Arts Council’s annual event dedicated to fine art, craftsmanship, and community, creating a unique opportunity and tradition for artists, collectors, and arts patrons.
The Student Art Show is specifically designed to celebrate the works of students from public, private, and home schools, including Elementary, Middle, High School, and AP/College. All student artists in county classrooms are invited to showcase their favorite artwork, and art teachers are invited to bring a collection of work from their classrooms. Ribbons will be awarded for the best works in the following age categories: elementary, middle school, high school, AP/college, and sculpture media. One talented young artist will also receive the prestigious Best in Show award!
“The Student Art Show is one of the most inspiring parts of Art in the Park. It showcases the incredible creativity and talent of young artists from across the county, giving them a platform to share their work with the community,” said Pedram Moghaddam, chair of the Hernando County Fine Arts Council and Student Art Show coordinator.
Traditionally, art teachers submit selected works from their classrooms, but last year, self-submitted artwork was introduced, and the show was opened to homeschoolers for the first time. Several of the 2024 winners submitted their works independently, and the first-place Sculpture winner was a homeschooled student.
The Arts Council also created the Jan Knowles Student Art Awards in 2022 to be presented to the first-place winners in each age category. Jan Knowles was an Art in the Park co-coordinator for 23 years, and the show would not be what it is today without her contributions.
“There is so much talent right here in our county, and each year, we remain astonished by the skills exhibited by our local students,” said Jessica Knutila, spokeswoman for the Hernando County Arts Council. “We hope you will join us March 8 and 9 as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Art in the Park.”
“We’re so proud to celebrate and support the next generation of artists and encourage everyone to come out, view their amazing work, and cheer on these rising stars,” said Moghaddam.
The Arts Council hopes that students and teachers enjoy seeing their own and their peers’ work exhibited and that the public gets the opportunity to see the superb art education our youth are receiving in our local schools.
So, if you have a budding Van Gogh or Chagall in your family, encourage them to explore the Student Art Show. It is free for students to exhibit. Find more information and download the registration forms at www.aitphernando.com/student-art-show-registration
Sue Quigley writes regularly for the Hernando Sun. She can be reached at [email protected] or 727.247.6308.
Student Art Show
March 8 & 9, 2025, at Tom Varn Park
Deadline to drop off artwork: March 4, 2025, at 4 p.m.
The annual Student Art Show showcases the talent of young artists from Hernando County, featuring entries from public, private, and home school students. Prizes will be awarded in five categories: Elementary, Middle, High School, AP/College, and Sculpture. Each student may submit one entry in visual arts, including painting, drawing, photography, and sculpture. To participate, students must complete a registration form signed by a parent or guardian, available at aitphernando.com, and attach a display tag to the front of their artwork with their name, school, grade, and teacher’s name.
Students may drop off their artwork at the Arts Council office or with their art teacher by March 4. The Arts Council office will accept artwork on February 18, February 25, and March 4, from 1–4 p.m., at 300 S. Main St., Brooksville. Alternative drop-off times can be arranged by emailing [email protected]. Art teachers may also collect student work and deliver it to Art in the Park on March 7, from noon to 6 p.m., or drop it off at the Arts Council office before March 5. For more information, contact Student Art Show Coordinator Pedram at [email protected].
[Courtesy photo]
