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 $8,000 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, 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 beginning March 28th. 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 beginning March 28th. 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 48TH ANNUAL HIGH SCHOOL ART INVITATIONAL
March 28 - May 1, 2025
In a jam-packed gallery on Thursday, April 2nd, Quad City Arts announced the winners of the 48th Annual High School Art Invitational and presented $8,000 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 Morency Family Giving Fund, the Empeople Credit Union, the Figge Art Academy, the Rock Island Art Guild, 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!
To view a 360 virtual tour of the entire exhibit space, scroll to the bottom!
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!
To view a 360 virtual tour of the entire exhibit space, scroll to the bottom!
Best of Show
Alexander VandWalle
"Sammy"
Sponsored by the Morency Family Giving Fund
"Sammy"
Sponsored by the Morency Family Giving Fund
First Place
Sherry Tang
"Fill the Quota" Sponsored by the Empeople Credit Union |
Second Place
Katharine Stolley
"Apollo's Daughter" Sponsored by Bereskin Gallery and Quad City Arts' Board Members |
Rock Island Art Guild Awards
Juli Torres
"Glorious Sunset" for Photography |
Jude Finch
"Waiting" for Painting |
Sophia Garza
"Worship" for Digital Media |
Sherry Tang
"Fill the Quota" for Drawing |
Bella Boyle
"Trauma" for 3D |
Keith Bonnstetter Memorial Awards
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Joel & Diane Franken Award
Sherry Tang
"Fill the Quota" for Most Original Concept |
W.C. Griffith Memorial Awards for Whimsey in Art
Baily Elgin
"Dolls for Kasey" 1st Place |
Jimena Montes Rios
"A Piece of My Heart" 2nd Place |
Zee Phares
"Me & My Bother" 3rd Place |
Halle Love
"Teenage Youth" Honorable Mention |
Rory Hartley
"Shed your Velvet" Honorable Mention |
Artist of Promise Certificate Awards by the Figge Art Academy
Tessa Scanlan
"Self" 
Charis Moore
"In the Element" |
Lily Almanza
"Shadows and Light of Folklorico" 
Claire Zaruba
"Violin" |
Spencer Hall
"Heritage" 
Heath Weiser
"Still life in Oils" |
Ralph Iaccarino Awards
Aliyah Lantau
"Every Dog has Its Day" for The Natural World 
Ella Strader
"Our Present Struggle" for Creativity |
Carlo Centore Awards
Lily Almanza
"Shadows and Light of Folklorico" for Mastery of Techique 
Lilly Bolt
"Heaven on Earth" for Mastery of Techique |
Steve Pray Awards
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Cutting Edge Award
Sherry Tang
"Fill the Quota" for Originality |
Don Heggan Memorial Award
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Elaine & Larry Sneath Award
Rory Hartley
"Shed your Velvet" for Thinking Outside the Box |
Helen Doehler Memorial award
Claire McBride
"On The Inside" for Artistic Excellence |
Living Lands & Waters Award
Grace Law
"The Beauthy of Words" for Best Use of Recycled Materials |
Mark & David Burlingame Memorial Award
Adrian Mills
"Through My Eye" for Excellence in Drawing |
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Award for Best Representation of Movement
Zoe Chen
"Kindred Spirits" |
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Zimmerman Honda Awards
Atalissa Bloyd
"Self-Portrait" for Imagination & Technique |
Ashley Applebee
"Smoking Kills" for Imagination & Technique |
Bella Boyle
"Trauma" for Imagination & Technique |
Juror's Choice Awards
Liyah York
"Me" |
Hannah Ortiz
"Misplaced Boundaries" |
Naomi Fiscus
"A Puzzled Piece" |
Holly Brown
"Gentle" |
Lyvia Ferry
"Girl Dinner" |
Quad City Arts Staff Picks
Meyah Frazier
"Imperfect Trunk" |
Kate Dougherty
"Concrete Jungle" |
Film Awards presented by dphilms
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Brenna France
"The Output of a Perfectionist" Best Live Action Film |
Avery Lukowicz
"Fan Animation" Best Animation Film |
Teacher Awards
Brian White
"Self-Portrait" First Place |
Dave Schaeffer
"Dive For Your Dreams" Second Place |
David Schriefer
"Neon Lollipop" Third Place |
Take a Virtual Tour!
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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