Regional Art Show Winners
Student artists recognized at the 2026 High School Art Show
North Kitsap School District students are being recognized at the 53rd annual State Superintendent’s High School Art Show, a statewide celebration of student creativity and artistic achievement.
The show highlights outstanding high school artwork from across Washington. Each Educational Service District selects top pieces to advance to the state-level show in Olympia at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. This year, 142 pieces were submitted to Olympic ESD 114’s Regional High School Art Show and displayed beginning in February. Judges selected 15 works to move on to the state show, and Central Washington University selected 8 students for scholarship awards.
We are proud to celebrate the talented student artists from North Kitsap High School and Kingston High School who were recognized this year.
Regional winners advancing to the state show
KCYC at Sunset
Aidan Cary, Kingston High School
Watercolor, 8" x 10"
Aidan painted a familiar local scene inspired by the feeling of watching the sunset settle over a place full of memories. His piece reflects the connection between art and place, and the way painting can preserve a moment and deepen appreciation for it.
Frosted Forest
James Bauman, Kingston High School
Mixed Media, 8.5" x 11"
James was inspired by the way an image looked during the transfer process, noticing it appeared to be covered in frost. That moment shaped the final direction of the piece and sparked an interest in how different surfaces and techniques can transform an image.
Shedding Skin
Olivia Sordello-Paine, North Kitsap High School
Acrylic, 24" x 20"
Olivia’s painting explores growth, self-acceptance, and the process of facing difficult emotions. Through this self-portrait, she reflects on change and the work of becoming more comfortable in who she is.
Reflection
Elizabeth Hays, North Kitsap High School
Digital Photography, 2256 px x 1504 px
Elizabeth’s photograph uses a flower and its reflection in a mirror to show that there can be more than one way to view the same subject. Her work invites the viewer to think about perspective and the different ways meaning can be found in a single image.
Dreamy Pupils
Jazzlyn Cruz, Kingston High School
Soft Pastels, 9" x 12"
Jazzlyn created this portrait while exploring soft pastels as a new medium. After working mostly in charcoal and black-and-white pastels, she wanted to experiment with color and focus on facial features. She shared that soft pastels were especially effective for rendering skin, hair, and expression, and that the piece helped her continue growing as a portrait artist.
Central Washington University scholarship award winners
Pie
Jazzlyn Cruz, Kingston High School
Oil Pastels, 9" x 12"
Jazzlyn created this piece for a family portrait assignment, choosing pie to represent her family through an object that holds meaning for them. She used oil pastels as part of her AP Drawing sustained investigation and pushed herself to work through challenges with perspective, texture, and composition.
Oranges and an Orange Girl
Abigail Odell, Kingston High School
Colored Pencils, 12" x 9"
Abigail created this piece to experiment with bright color and apply color theory in a bold way. Using one of her original characters, she explored how color choices can shape mood, contrast, and visual impact.
Shedding Skin
Olivia Sordello-Paine, North Kitsap High School
Acrylic, 24" x 20"
Olivia’s painting explores growth, self-acceptance, and the process of facing difficult emotions. Through this self-portrait, she reflects on change and the work of becoming more comfortable in who she is.