High School Self Portrait Show
While athletes have games, actors put on shows, and musicians have concerts, we’ve discovered that visual artists need more opportunities to showcase their work in a professional gallery setting. The High School Self-Portrait Show is a unique platform that allows high school artists to proudly display their art to their peers and the community and compete for prizes.
High School Art Teachers from the greater Sacramento region assign their students a Self-Portrait project in any medium and then recommend two or three students from their class to submit for the show. The show, a community event, is displayed in a gallery for all to appreciate, and a panel of local artists, art educators, and the Chalk It Up executive board selects the award winners.
Chalk It Up hosts a 2nd Saturday Reception and Awards Ceremony, a joyous occasion for students, teachers, families, and the community to celebrate the next generation of artists and the arts education community. Chalk It Up provides awards for Best in Show, Best in Medium, etc., inspiring hope for the future of the arts.
This show is possible because of the partnership of our local high school art teachers and the arts education community. They are helping to empower and support the next generation of artists.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to James Ferry (1933 – 2020) for initiating this tradition. Special appreciation to Findlay McIntosh of Christian Brothers High School, and Verge Center for the Arts for their collaboration with Chalk It Up, ensuring the continuity of this annual tradition. A BIG ‘Thank You’ to the Big Day of Giving Donors for their generous support, making this program possible!
2025 High School Self-Portrait Show, March 2025
TEACHERS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS: Please complete this INTEREST FORM for more information: https://forms.gle/gKsJZfs9UJq67d4x5
2024 High School Self-Portrait Show
Congratulations to all of the students who participated in the 23rd Annual High School Self-Portrait Show in March 2024. There were 18 local area high schools and 122 high school artists.
Thank you to all of our sponsors, volunteers, and donors, especially our BIG DAY OF GIVING DONORS, for helping to make this show happen!
AWARD WINNERS:
- Best in Medium, Ceramics: Student Becky Zhou, Florin HS, Teacher Magen Coopee-Lucas
- Best in Medium, Photography: Student Cold Arnold, Jesuit HS, Teacher Katherine Madden
- Best in Medium, Ballpoint Pen: Student Caitlin Gaerlan, Sheldon HS, Teacher Theresa Nguyen
- Best in Medium, Mixed Media: Student Yixin Huang, St. Francis HS, Teacher Rosalva Willow
- Best in Medium, Acrylic: Student Maria Pickles, Davis HS, Teacher Kyle Monhollen
- Each Best in Medium student received a cash prize of $10o, and their teacher was awarded a grant of $100 for classroom art supplies.
- 3rd Place: Student Aashi Labana, NP3, Teacher Heather Higgins
- The student received a $250 cash prize, and the teacher was awarded a $250 grant for classroom art supplies.
- 2nd Place: Student Anabel Yang, Kennedy HS, Teacher CJ Jones
- The student received a $500 cash prize, and the teacher was awarded a $500 grant for classroom art supplies.
- 1st Place: Student Matilda McKinzie, McClatchy HS, Teacher Jeris Baker
- The student received a $750 cash prize, and the teacher was awarded a $750 grant for classroom art supplies.
- Best in Show: Student Naomi Burnett, West Campus HS, Teacher Sandra Whitehead
- The student received a $1,000 cash prize, and the teacher was awarded a $1,000 grant for classroom art supplies.
