Hundreds of young artists from Central New York showcased their talent in the 2026 CNY Scholastic Art Awards, submitting over 5,000 pieces for local and national recognition. Sponsored by M&T Bank and hosted by Onondaga Community College, the awards celebrated the artistic achievements of students from 14 counties in the region.
A panel of professional artists, educators, and photographers judged the entries earlier this month. From the vast pool of submissions, 1,487 pieces received accolades, including Gold Key, Silver Key, and Honorable Mentions, along with various special honors and cash prizes.
Exhibitions and Awards Ceremony
The winning artworks will be displayed in a free public exhibition at the Whitney Applied Technology Center at Onondaga Community College until February 27, 2026. The exhibition will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. The campus will be closed on January 19 in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
Selected works will later be featured at the Everson Museum of Art from March 7 to April 5. The awards ceremony took place on January 20 at the SRC Arena on the college’s campus, celebrating the accomplishments of the talented students.
A Look at Award Winners
The prestigious Scholastic Art Awards program, founded by Scholastic, Inc. in 1923, is the largest annual student art competition in the United States. The Central New York Region has participated in this program for over 80 years and produced 24 national award winners last year alone.
Among the special awards presented were:
– Purcell Construction Corp. Award for Best Work in Architecture & Industrial Design: Kaitryn Pelnik-Wadsworth, New Hartford High School
– The Sage Scholars Educational Foundation Awards for Best Work in Printmaking: Avery Evans, New Hartford High School
– The Art Store Award for Best Painting: Julia Thet, Rome Free Academy
– American Visions Awards recognizing the “Best of Show” from all Gold Key artwork, awarded to students including Brynn Akins from Union Springs High School and Taylor MacCaull from West Genesee High School.
This year’s exhibition includes a wide range of categories such as digital painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, and mixed media, reflecting the diverse artistic expressions of the region’s youth.
For those interested in viewing the remarkable talent of Central New York’s young artists, the exhibition promises to be a vibrant showcase of creativity and innovation.
