Joliet Central High School art students earned a combined $1,408,000.00 million in college scholarships at the 13th Annual Illinois High School Art Exhibition, one of the nation’s largest and most competitive showcases of student artwork.

The exhibition ran March 14 through April 18 at the Bridgeport Art Center in Chicago and drew thousands of students, educators and college representatives. Students from more than 125 Illinois high schools participated in the exhibition, which featured approximately 1,000 of the state’s top young artists and offered access to more than $71 million in annual scholarship opportunities.

Joliet Central students Amber Davis, Madelyn Gloodt, Angela Guzman, Rauri O’Hara, Mia Cardenas, and Mayte Perez Serrato were selected to exhibit their work; Joliet Central juniors Leslie Espinoza, Angela Guzman and Diego Tirado were selected to exhibit work for the Early College Program; and Saleen Canales, Mia Cardenas, Aron Chimmy, Amber Davis, Montserrat Gabriel Aguilera, Evelyn Lopez, Rauri O’Hara, Leticia Reyes Torres, and Tayla Stallings were chosen to exhibit work at the Senior Scholarship Exhibition.

Joliet Central also received a Top 20 Scholarship Schools Award, and individual honors included an Honorable Mention in Mixed Media for Rauri O’Hara and an Outstanding Achievement in Portfolio Quality Award for Tayla Stallings.

The achievements of these Joliet Central artists reflect not only their hard work and dedication but also the guidance and inspiration provided by their art teachers, Nyssa Grzyb and Rachel LaVine.

“This recognition reflects the dedication our students bring to their craft every day,” said Joliet Central Art Teacher Nyssa Grzyb. “They are not only developing strong technical skills, but also finding their voice as artists.”

Joliet Central Art Teacher Rachel LaVine said the experience opens doors for students beyond high school.

“These opportunities allow our students to connect their passion for art with real pathways to college and careers,” LaVine said. “We are incredibly proud of the way they represented Joliet Central.”

The Illinois High School Art Exhibition is organized by ArtConnectED and includes exhibitions, a college fair and career exploration opportunities for students and educators across the state. The IHSAE celebrated not only the artistic achievements of Illinois high school students but also the invaluable role of art educators, who work tirelessly to support the next generation of artists. This exhibition was a testament to the power of creativity in shaping futures, and Joliet Central High School’s students led the way.

About the IHSAE
ArtConnectED is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the creative educational landscape for high school students. It connects students and teachers to a variety of exhibitions, opportunities, and programs while advocating for the power of art in education. Through partnerships with art schools, colleges, universities, and more than 125 high schools, ArtConnectED celebrates and rewards the artistic talents of Illinois high school students.

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