Artwork by (from left to right): Zana (junior), Volodymyr (senior), Angel (junior), Anita (senior), and Mark (senior). 

A crowd mills around a well-lit gallery, where one-of-a-kind and award-winning artwork is showcased. Video and photography displays, paintings, drawings, and sculptures all line the walls and fill the space. This may sound like a show at the world-renowned Saint Louis Art Museum, but it’s actually the prestigious and highly competitive Young Artist Showcase. And this year, not only were five Principia student pieces accepted out of 400 submissions, but one piece in particular received special recognition.  

The showcase, sponsored by the St. Louis Artists’ Guild, is “a juried, all-media exhibition of artwork created by high school students between 15 and 19 years old.” Each school is only allowed 10 submissions. This year, 40 schools participated, but only 120 pieces were selected—five of which belonged to Principia students.   

“It’s a huge deal for the students,” says Upper School Art Teacher Mary Lamboley. “Because it means they’ve made an impact with their work, that a professional has seen it, and it reassures them that they’re on the right track.” And make an impact they did. The students honored at this memorable evening were seniors Anita, Volodymyr, and Mark and juniors Zana and Angel. Of the student artwork, juror Emmett Merrell said, “everything in the show has poetic depth, political awareness, emotional insight, and in many cases, a phenomenal sense of humor that my work wished it had when I was y'all's age.” 

But it was Anita’s sculpture, titled “Under the Surface,” that won special recognition. The bust artwork was awarded the Louetta Beuchler Scholarship, with a monetary prize of $1,000. "I think coming to Principia and taking art classes taught me how to think like an artist,” says Anita. “As artists, we show viewers what’s going on in our minds and in the world. Taking these classes has really helped me venture into that mental space.” When asked about her scholarship, Anita said “At first, I was very shocked. But I think it’s a great opportunity for me to share my artwork with the community. I’m just so happy!” 

Across town at the Foundry Art Centre’s Regional Teen Art Show in Saint Charles, 15 more Principia student pieces were selected for showcasing. Of the pieces, two were recognized for awards. Junior Nishitah won the Zack Smithey Award, and senior Volodymyr won the Foundry Studio Artists Award. The opening reception for the Regional Teen Art Show is April 5.  

“In creating and sharing their artwork, students are learning to communicate on another level. This kind of thinking is so huge,” says Lamboley. “The students are experiencing a world I, and others, didn’t grow up in. What are they seeing? What are they feeling? They’re telling us through their art, and it’s such a wonderful opportunity for us to listen.”