Annual Exhibition Features Creative Works From 52 Arkansas Students
The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (AMFA) is proud to present the 65th Young Arkansas Artists (YAA) exhibition, on view May 23 through July 26, 2026, in the Robyn and John Horn Gallery. Selections for the exhibition were made from 502 total submissions by art teachers and instructors in 18 Arkansas cities. A virtual gallery of the exhibition can be viewed on the museum’s website.
Each year, AMFA invites art educators to submit their students’ work to YAA. Representing creative assignments in art classes from kindergarten through 12th grade, YAA is a measure of the astounding power of art in the hands of young people and reflects the caliber of Arkansas’s talented art teachers. Now in its 65th year, the program has become one of the state’s most prominent platforms for celebrating and nurturing the next generation of Arkansas artists.
“Young Arkansas Artists is a celebration of the imagination and skill of young artists and the dedicated educators who guide them,” states Dr. Victoria Ramirez, AMFA’s Chief Executive Officer. “By recognizing creative voices from communities across Arkansas, the exhibition spotlights the future of the arts and art education throughout the state.”
A panel of museum and art professionals, along with this year’s grand juror, Dr. Celeste Alexander, executive director of the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas and ARTx3 Campus, selected the artwork for the exhibition. Dr. Alexander also selected best-in-class awards and the recipient of the Mid-Southern Watercolorists’ Suzann Waggoner Memorial Award.
Awards totaling more than $10,000 were presented to support artists and art programs in Arkansas. The 13 best-in-class recipients and the Mid-Southern Watercolorists’ Suzann Waggoner Memorial Award winner received an invitation for one complimentary session at AMFA’s Summer Art Camps. The AMFA Docents’ Recognition Award included a $300 bus stipend redeemable by the recipient’s school to help support a field trip to the museum. In addition to program awards, students received gift certificates from Blick Art Materials.
Students and educators were recognized at an awards ceremony held on May 23, 2026. Of the 52 selections, the following received awards:
- *Levi Splawn, kindergarten, art educator: Mary Elkin, Howard Perrin Elementary, Benton
- *Londyn Nichols, first grade, art educator: Nicole Boutiette, Glenview Elementary, North Little Rock
- *Molly Loggins, second grade, art educator: Cynthia Delahunt, CD Creative Studio, Cabot
- *Graham McDonnel, third grade, art educator: Cynthia Delahunt, CD Creative Studio, Cabot
- *Lillian Middleton, fourth grade, art educator: Christi Callaway, Immaculate Conception Catholic School, North Little Rock
- *Blair Allen, fifth grade, art educator: Sarah Benson, Thaden School, Bentonville
- *Jamie Schildknecht, sixth grade, art educator: Jennifer Bryant, Pinnacle View Middle School, Little Rock
- *Noelle DePriest, seventh grade, art educator: Laura DePriest, East End Middle School, Hensley
- **Courtney Nichols, eighth grade, art educator: Nancy Corley, Mountain Home Christian Academy, Mountain Home
- *Lilly Neal, eighth grade, art educator: Dustin Meeker, Pinnacle View Middle School, Little Rock
- *†Kyndalin Harkins, ninth grade, art educator: Christy Woody, Manila High School, Manila
- *Journey Fields, 10th grade, art educator: Amanda Fields, Mulberry High School, Mulberry
- *Amelia VanWinkle, 11th grade, art educator: Joy Schultz, Arkansas Arts Academy, Rogers
- *Lillian Zimmerman, 12th grade, art educator: Keela Olson, Norfork High School, Norfork
*Best in Class Award
**AMFA Docents’ Recognition Award
†Mid-Southern Watercolorists’ Suzann Waggoner Memorial Award
Sponsors
The 65th Young Arkansas Artists exhibition and awards are supported in part by Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Delaware North and the Jacobs Family, Simmons First Foundation, Mid-Southern Watercolorists, and Blick Art Materials.
Mid-Southern Watercolorists’ Suzann Waggoner Memorial Award is provided by Mid-Southern Watercolorists.
The Windgate Art School is generously supported in part by the Windgate Foundation with additional support from Sherry Worthen in memory of George Worthen.
The Windgate Art School’s Reduced Tuition Program is supported in part by Michael Laughter. Reduced tuition is automatically applied on all classes through 2026.
Summer Art Camps are supported in part by the Roy & Christine Sturgis Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee and the Schmieding Foundation.
About the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
Founded in 1937, the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts is the largest cultural institution of its kind in the state, offering a unique blend of visual and performing arts experiences. AMFA is committed to featuring diverse media and artistic perspectives within its permanent collection as well as through rotating temporary exhibitions. AMFA’s international collection spans eight centuries, with strengths in works on paper and contemporary craft, and includes notable holdings by artists from Arkansas, the South, and across the United States and Europe.
With a vibrant mix of ideas, cultures, people, and places, AMFA extends this commitment to diversity through the innovative Windgate Art School, a dynamic children’s theatre and performing arts program, and community-focused educational programs for all ages. Located in Little Rock’s oldest urban green space, MacArthur Park, AMFA’s landmark building and grounds are designed by Studio Gang and SCAPE, in collaboration with Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects.