Young Artists Showcase Talent at USMH High School Art Exhibition

The University System of Maryland at Hagerstown (USMH) recently celebrated the artistic achievements of local high school students by hosting the 2026 Washington County High School Art Show. The event, held on Thursday, February 26, at the USMH Hospitality Center in Hagerstown, featured a diverse collection of nearly 90 artworks submitted by students from public and private schools across Washington County. The exhibition aimed to highlight the creativity, originality, and artistic skill of these emerging talents across various mediums, including drawing, painting, photography, digital media, and 3D sculpture and ceramics.

Local judges meticulously reviewed the submitted pieces earlier in February, ultimately selecting first, second, and third-place winners in each category. In addition to the category awards, a prestigious “Best in Show” honor was bestowed upon one outstanding artwork. The USMH Staff Pick Award, a popular recognition chosen by the USMH team for pieces that particularly resonated with them, was also presented to three students. This award offers a unique perspective on student work, acknowledging pieces that connect with the faculty and staff on an emotional or conceptual level. Generous support from Howard’s Art & Frames on Dual Highway in Hagerstown provided gift cards for the “Best in Show” winner and all first-place category recipients, further acknowledging the students’ dedication and talent.

The top accolades of the exhibition included Kelly Nguyen from BISFA taking home the “Best in Show” award for her piece titled “Tower of Babel 2.0.” In the drawing category, Han Ha of BISFA earned first place for “Self Portrait,” with Jordyn Rezvani (BISFA) and Isabella Le (Saint James) securing second and third place, respectively. The painting category saw Minhal Imtiaz (BISFA) awarded first place for “Banana Still Life,” followed by Cate Hensley (BISFA) in second place for “In the Making” and Brittany Diaz Castro (BISFA) in third for “Am I Big Now?”. For photography, Carleigh Ouellette of CSHS claimed first place with “Snow,” while Ilyana Powell (BISFA) received second place for “Beyond the Surface,” and Lily Rose Lietuvnikas (CSHS) secured third for “Frogger of the Wild West.” In the digital media category, Isabelle Coughran (BISFA) was awarded first place for “Mechanica Outlaws,” with Haylee Williams (CSHS) taking second for “Look At Me” and Rory Curry (BISFA) in third for “Regrets.” The 3D Sculpture/Ceramics category recognized Stanley Stottlemyer (BISFA) with first place for his “Self Portrait,” Liam Hall (Saint James) with second for “Father’s Best Friend,” and Leo Green (BISFA) with third for “Teapot.”

Beyond the judged awards, the USMH Staff Recognition Awards celebrated exceptional student work as identified by USMH staff. Cameron Wishard from SHHS received the award for drawing with “3 Staxx.” Jaedyn Cabrera of NHHS was recognized in photography for “Fragility.” In painting, Cecilia Shao from Saint James was honored for her work titled “Dancing Through Life.”

The winning pieces are currently on display for the public to view in the lobby of USMH’s main building, located at 32 W. Washington Street in Hagerstown. The exhibition will remain open through Thursday, March 5, with viewing hours from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

USMH is also extending an invitation to prospective students for an upcoming Open House event. Scheduled for Thursday, April 9, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at its main campus at 32 W. Washington Street in Hagerstown, the event offers an opportunity for interested individuals to learn more about the academic programs and campus life. Further details and registration information for the Open House can be found at https://www.hagerstown.usmd.edu/news/spring-open-house-at-usmh.

The University System of Maryland at Hagerstown serves as a vital regional higher education center, offering more than 20 undergraduate and graduate programs through six universities within the University System of Maryland. Situated in downtown Hagerstown, USMH is dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality, and affordable education, functioning as a central hub for academic excellence, community involvement, and workforce development in the region. Additional information about USMH can be found at http://www.hagerstown.usmd.edu.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from a press release by the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown.

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