ESD 113 Names 2026 Regional High School Art Show Winners

Educational Service District 113 (ESD 113) today, announced the winners of the 2026 Regional High School Art Show, recognizing student artists from across the region. A reception for students and their families will be held at 6 pm on Thursday, March 26, at ESD 113's Administration Building in Tumwater.

Since 1973, high school students across Washington have competed in regional art shows sponsored by the state’s nine educational service districts. Regional winners advance to the state level to participate in the State Superintendent’s High School Art Show.

This year, ESD 113's show drew entries from students in Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, and Thurston counties. Eight judges each ranked their top 15 selections. Those rankings determined the 15 pieces advancing to the state show. The top-rated piece, “Reanimated,” by Matthew Wang of Olympia High School, earned highest honors.

Beyond the top 15, artists are also honored through People’s Choice, ESD 113 Board of Directors’ Choice, Olympia Art League’s Choice, and Central Washington University’s Department of Art + Design Choices. The Olympia Art League awarded scholarships to the People’s Choice winner, their own selection, ESD 113's Board Choice, and the top-rated piece. Central Washington University’s Department of Art + Design awarded $2,000 scholarships to its selections.

Congratulations to the following winners, listed in no particular order.

Regional Winners: 

Avanti High School

Teacher: Cecily Schmidt

• Jozey Donze—Death Gives Birth to Life—Mixed Media Sculpture

Black Hills High School

Teacher: Dave Wegener

• Jane Birchard—Silly Face (self-portrait)—Acrylic on Canvas

Napavine High School

Teacher: Jennifer Kinsman

• Levin Russkaoff—Bleach—Alcohol Markers and Ink

Olympia High School

Teacher: Joshua Everson

• Sylvia Chan—Pesca'o—Papercut
• Raegan Hoffman—Fleeting—Acrylic
• Georgia Maurer—Father's Day—Papercut
• Sigrid Owens—The Streets of Bergen—Ink
• Aidan Stoker—Fountain—Mixed Media
• Matthew Wang—Reanimated—Charcoal

Teacher: Courtney Warnick

• Hailey Damerow—Overripe—Clay, Acrylic

River Ridge High School

Teacher: Alexandra Green

• Noah Martinsen—Ruby Beach—Oil Paint on Canvas

Tumwater High School

Teacher: Jill Giudice

• Lily Blake—"Blossoming"—Oil Paint
• Kieran Cox—Treeline—Ceramic
• Ryan Hillman—Beach Weather—Acrylic Paint and Markers

Teacher: Traci McGowan

• Andrew Penrose—Within the Foggy Valley—Digital Print of Film Photography

Central Washington University Scholarship Winners:

Avanti High School

Teacher: Cecily Schmidt

• Jozey Donze—Death Gives Birth to Life—Mixed Media Sculpture

Olympia High School

Teacher: Joshua Everson

• Sophie Fetherston—Change—Pen
• Aidan Stoker—Fountain—Mixed Media
• Marina Vujasinovic—cafe culture—Mixed Media
• Matthew Wang—Reanimated—Charcoal

Teacher: Courtney Warnick

• Hailey Damerow—Overripe—Ceramic, Acrylic

Rochester High School

Teacher: Emily Fagan

• Ariel Maekawa Sanborn—Sunday Afternoon—Chalk Pastel on Black Paper

Tumwater High School

Teacher: Jill Giudice

• Lily Blake—Blossoming—Oil paint
• Kieran Cox—Treeline—Ceramic

Tenino High School

Teacher: Ella Caplan

• Shane Elrod—Excaliber—Metal and Welding

ESD 113 Board of Directors' Choice:

Tumwater High School

Teacher: Traci McGowan

• Cole Jones—Starry Night—Digital Photography

People's Choice:

Tumwater High School

Teacher: Jill Giudice

• Zoe Potts—Monster Cake—Ceramics

Olympia Art League's Choice:

Olympia High School

Teacher: Joshua Everson

• Matthew Wang—Reanimated—Charcoal

More Information:

• 2026 Regional High School Art Show Gallery
• State Superintendent's High School Art Show