Kishwaukee College will host a Juried High School Student Art Exhibition open to district
high school students. This event gives regional artists an opportunity to build their
exhibition résumés by displaying their original artwork in a professional gallery
setting, earn prizes, and learn more about pursuing a college education in art.
Each local high school instructor may submit images of up to 25 works of student art.
Visual artwork submitted must be categorized by media. The exhibition will be juried
by Kishwaukee College art faculty.
Entry Submission Process
If submitting entries on behalf of a local high school, please fill out the submission
summary form.
Below are the submission requirements for all visual art entries. Please review carefully
to ensure your work is properly prepared and eligible for inclusion in the exhibition.
Works on canvas must be stretched or include hanging grommets.
All 2D artwork must have hanging hardware attached to the back of the mat or frame.
The piece may be matted or framed—your choice—but it must arrive fully prepared to
hang.
Matted 2D artwork can be made ready to hang in several ways:
Some schools prefer to wire the mats.
Others use strong monofilament (fishing line) securely attached to the back of the
mat.
Others use weight-appropriate Command Strips (or similar Velcro-style strips) attached
to the back.
Framed 2D artwork must be wired due to weight.
3D Artwork Requirements
All 3D artwork must be finished and ready for display.
Include special display instructions if needed.
Labeling Requirements
Attach two copies of the Visual Art Submission Form to the backside of each 2D artwork and to the bottom
of each 3D piece.
Important Dates
Submission Deadline: Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, by 3:30 pm
Artwork Delivery Dates: Friday, Feb. 7 and Monday, Feb. 10 — (Please schedule a specific date and time with Kailey Bednarek by contacting kbednarek@kish.edu or 815-825-9828)
Closing Reception: 5:30-6:30 pm on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2025, in the Art Gallery.
Artwork Pick-Up Post-Show: Friday, Feb. 26, 2026 (after closing reception) to Monday, March 1, 2026
For more information, contact Jud Curry, Dean, Office of Instruction, at 815-825-9532
or jcurry2@kish.edu or Kailey Bednarek, Office of Instruction-Administrative Specialist I, at 815-825-9828
or kbednarek@kish.edu.
For more information on Art or Writing at Kishwaukee College, visit:
1stPlace — Timeless by Ellie Ferguson, Sycamore HS
2ndPlace — Brooke Shields by Heidi G., DeKalb HS
3rdPlace—Cherry Street Doorby Kasey Jones, Rochelle HS
COLOR DRAWING
1stPlace — Alarm Clock by Maia Clapp-Duhau, DeKalb HS
2ndPlace—DENIA TIME!by Denia Rincon, Rochelle HS
3rdPlace — Chaos by Jazz Dwyer, Sycamore HS
PAINTING
1stPlace—Koi Fish "Left"by Alexia Alderson, Indian Creek HS; Koi Fish "Center"by Emma Murphy, Indian Creek HS; Koi Fish "Right"by Evyelyse Wright-Rivera, Indian Creek HS
2ndPlace— Beauty by Benji Clayton, Indian Creek HS; Pain by Benji Clayton, Indian Creek HS
3rdPlace— Stand-Off by Kit Horn, Sycamore HS
SCULPTURE/CERAMICS
1stPlace—Petals to Porcelainby Taylor Wesley, Sycamore HS
Best In Show:Nuestra Cena de Nochebuenaby Marlen Hueramo Rochelle Township HS
1stPlace Drawings in Black & White:Treat People with KindnessbyA G, DeKalb HS 2ndPlace Drawings in Black & White:FinebyKiley Frankenberry, Rochelle Township HS 3rdPlace Drawings in Black & White:ClinophobiabyAzeneth Milan, Rochelle Township HS Honorable Mention:Succeedby Sneh Patel, DeKalb HS
1stPlace Painting:Reaching Goalsby Mira Ryu, Sycamore HS 2ndPlace Painting:. . . To Freedom, From Chains . . . byChrissie Fischer, Hiawatha HS 3rdPlace Painting:Ball and ChainbyAddison Brooks, Indian Creek HS Honorable Mention:ShatteredbyAl Belick, DeKalb HS Honorable Mention:Wave on the Horizonby Riley Sessler, Indian Creek HS Honorable Mention:Lyrical LemonadebyKalab, Indian Creek HS
The Aspen Institute named Kishwaukee College as one of the 200 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s premier recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges. The 200 colleges were selected based on their student outcomes data, including retention, completion, transfer and bachelor’s degree attainment rates. Started in 2010, this is the ninth cycle of the Aspen Prize.
Kishwaukee College will offer five Short-Term programs during the Spring 2026 semester. Kish Short-Term programs provide students with the expertise needed to meet local workforce demands. The programs range from 11-15 weeks, allowing students to start a career immediately or build on skills with additional training.