ANNUAL HIGH SCHOOL
ART INVITATIONAL
Engaging the next generation of creatives in the Quad Cities
ANNUAL HIGH SCHOOL
SUPPORTING HIGH SCHOOL ARTISTS AS THEY CONTINUE THEIR ART EDUCATION AND COMPETE FOR OVER $10,000 DOLLARS IN AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS PROVIDED BY EXHIBIT SPONSORS
ABOUT THE HIGH SCHOOL ART INVITATIONAL
Each spring, Quad City Arts displays artwork from top high school artists and their art teachers. High school art instructors in the greater Quad City region are invited to choose works by their top five students in any category, plus additional works in the categories of film, wood sculpture, paper sculpture and recycled materials. The exhibit fills the walls of Quad City Arts’ downtown Rock Island gallery, the opening ceremony is attended by hundreds of Quad Citians supporting young artistic talent, and students receive thousands of dollars in awards from exhibition sponsors.
The public is welcome to visit the gallery in person Monday-Friday from 10-5, Saturdays from 11-5. Everyone is welcome to vote in person for their favorite high school artist in the People's Choice contest at our Rock Island gallery.
For many students, this will be the first time they receive formal recognition for their creative talents. This can inspire them to pursue careers in the arts and find out how their talents can be applied. In addition to the opportunity to show their work publicly, this exhibition is important to show students the process of competing for gallery shows. As professional artists know, getting into exhibitions can be discouraging, but there is value in seeing which pieces were selected.
This exhibition is important for the public because it shows the incredible creativity of our young people and our future workforce. Creative people have the ability to problem-solve which is a trait sought after by numerous professions.
The public is welcome to visit the gallery in person Monday-Friday from 10-5, Saturdays from 11-5. Everyone is welcome to vote in person for their favorite high school artist in the People's Choice contest at our Rock Island gallery.
For many students, this will be the first time they receive formal recognition for their creative talents. This can inspire them to pursue careers in the arts and find out how their talents can be applied. In addition to the opportunity to show their work publicly, this exhibition is important to show students the process of competing for gallery shows. As professional artists know, getting into exhibitions can be discouraging, but there is value in seeing which pieces were selected.
This exhibition is important for the public because it shows the incredible creativity of our young people and our future workforce. Creative people have the ability to problem-solve which is a trait sought after by numerous professions.
THE 47TH ANNUAL HIGH SCHOOL ART INVITATIONAL
March 22 - April 25, 2024
In a jam-packed gallery on Thursday, March 28th, Quad City Arts announced the winners of the 47th Annual High School Art Invitational and presented $10,600 in cash prizes to area high school students and teachers for excellence in fine art. This exhibition is made possible by the William Butterworth Foundation (the major sponsor of the event), The Empeople Credit Union, The Morency Family Giving Fund, and additional sponsors noted for individual awards.
Thank you for being a part of the Annual High School Invitational,
we are proud to have so many creative teachers and students in our community!
Thank you for being a part of the Annual High School Invitational,
we are proud to have so many creative teachers and students in our community!
Scholarship Awards
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Best in Show
Shea Gende
"Tragically Beautiful" Best in Show |
Rock Island Art Guild Awards
Sean Chen
"Self-Portrait" Rock Island Art Guild Award for Digital Drawing 
Sunny Roberts
"Milky Way at 4am in Rural Illinois" Rock Island Art Guild Award for Photography 
Alexander VandeWalle
"Eyes" Juror's Choice ​ |
Nadia Meeks
"The Fortune Teller Remake" Rock Island Art Guild Award for Painting 
Delaney Carroll
"Woman" Outstanding Student 
Zoe Chen
"Iris" Juror's Choice |
Myah Frazier
"Flowing" Rock Island Art Guild Award for Ceramic 
Isaac DeHaven
"Looking Back" Juror's Choice 
Ella Strader
"The Burden of Atlas" Juror's Choice |
Keith Bonnstetter Memorial Awards
Delaney Ray
"Leopard Shark" Keith Bonnstetter Memorial Award for Creative Use of Paper as a Medium 
Emma Holmes
"Out of Place" Keith Bonnstetter Award for Creative Use of Paper |
Joel & Diane Franken Award
Nayeli Lopez
"Fantasy" Joel & Diane Franken Award for Most Original Concept |
W.C. Griffith Memorial Awards for Humor in Art
Maisy Woods
"The Basics and Sentimentality" 1st Place W. C. Griffith Award for Humor in Art |
Carys Ricklefs
"Bump in the Night" 2nd Place W. C. Griffith Award for Humor in Art |
Bryce Puglisi
"Grasshopper" 3rd Place W. C. Griffith Award for Humor in Art |
Zoe Beck
"Drowning in Silence: Fragmented Memories" Honorable Mention W.C. Griffith Award for Humor in Art​ |
Hannah McVey
"Turtle Enclosure" Honorable Mention W. C. Griffith Award for Humor in Art |
Steve Pray Awards
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Cutting Edge Award
Maggie Wanek
"Maggie Half Found" Cutting Edge Award for Originality |
Carlo Centore Award
Aiden Loy
"Cosmic Gaze" Carlo Centore Award for Mastery of Technique |
Ralph Iaccarino Awards
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Figge Creative Arts Academy Class Certificate Winners
DJ Baker
"Who Else But Me" Figge Creative Arts Academy Class Certificate 
Tatum Miller
"Self-Portrait" Figge Creative Arts Academy Class Certificate 
Emilia Surma
"Untitled" Figge Creative Arts Academy Class Certificate |
Willa Halfhill
"Still Life" Figge Creative Arts Academy Class Certificate 
Kaitlyn Miller
"Creation of Chaos" Figge Creative Arts Academy Class Certificate 
Tien Tran
"Cards" Figge Creative Arts Academy Class Certificate |
Nathan Kampe
"Til Our Last Fiddle" Figge Creative Arts Academy Class Certificate 
Cassie Paget
"Bear-Bear's Embrace" Figge Creative Arts Academy Class Certificate
Alexander VandeWalle
"Eyes" Figge Creative Arts Academy Class Certificate |
Don Heggan Memorial Award
Summer Shoesmith
"Untitled" Don Heggen Memorial Award for Outstanding Watercolor |
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Living Lands & Waters Recycled Materials Awards
Nayeli Lopez
"Fantasy" Living Lands & Waters Award for Best Use of Recycled Materials |
TayLinn Bratton
"The Will..." Living Lands & Waters Award for 2nd Best Use of Recycled Materials |
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award for Excellence in Photography
Sidney Shaffer
"Mars is Falling" Award for Excellence in Photography |
Award for the Love of Dogs & Books
Rayla Parkinson
"My Refuge" Award for the Love of Dogs and Books |
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Zoe Chen
"Iris" Zimmerman Honda Award for Mastery of Technique |
Alexander VandeWalle
"Eyes" Zimmerman Honda Award for Mastery of Technique |
Quad City Arts Staff Picks
Justice Harell
"Owl" Quad City Arts Staff Pick 
Addison Bomelyn
"Flavors of the Week" Quad City Arts Staff Pick |
Naomi Fiscus
"Cornucopia" Quad City Arts Staff Pick |
Charlie Hepner
"OI" Quad City Arts Staff Pick |
Film Awards
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Brenna France
"Fragile Things" 1st Place Film |
Fox Dobbins
"Red Light" 2nd Place Film |
Teacher Awards
Lisa Stisser
"Patron Saint of Invisible Work" Teacher Award First Place |
Juan Rangel
"My Eyes" Teacher Award Second Place |
Andrew Gray
"March 1st" Teacher Award Third Place |
Rock Island GalleryThe Quad City Arts Gallery is home to an exhibition space located on the first floor. The building, which was once a turn-of-the-century department store, features hardwood floors, and a fourteen foot-high ceiling. The exhibition space is more than 1,500 sq. ft., a perfect space to showcase large paintings, sculptures and enjoy an occasional performance.
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Artist CALL For EntriesView our latest call for entries and submit your work! Quad City Arts provides a multitude of locations to display and exhibit artwork. Join countless of artists that have exhibited in our galleries in our 50 year history. Most call for entries at Quad City Arts are free and open to midwest artists.
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