The 2026 Central New York Scholastic Art Awards celebrated the creativity of young artists from 14 counties, showcasing over 5,000 submissions. Judged by a panel of professional artists and educators, the awards recognized a total of 1,487 artworks with Gold Key, Silver Key, and Honorable Mentions, along with special honors and cash prizes. Sponsored by M&T Bank and hosted by Onondaga Community College (OCC), the event highlights the exceptional talent within the region.
The judging process took place earlier this month, focusing on individual pieces as well as eight-piece portfolios. The award-winning entries will be on public display at the Whitney Applied Technology Center at OCC until the end of February. The exhibition runs from 09:00 to 19:00 on weekdays and 09:00 to 18:00 on weekends. Notably, the campus will be closed on January 19, 2026, in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
Exhibition and Award Ceremony Details
Following the exhibition at OCC, selected pieces will be showcased from March 7 to April 5 at the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse. A special awards ceremony is scheduled for January 20, 2026, at the SRC Arena on OCC’s campus. Gold Key winners will then advance to national competitions, representing the region on a larger stage.
The Scholastic Art Awards, founded by Scholastic, Inc. in 1923, is recognized as the largest annual student art competition in the United States. The Central New York region has participated for over 80 years, with last year’s competition yielding 24 national award winners. A selection of the Gold Key winners can be viewed through provided links, which categorize the works by medium, including Painting, Photography, and Mixed Media, among others.
Recognizing Outstanding Young Artists
Several notable awards have been presented this year. The Purcell Construction Corp. Award for best work in Architecture & Industrial Design went to Kaitryn Pelnik-Wadsworth from New Hartford High School. Other distinguished recipients include:
– Best work in Printmaking: Avery Evans, New Hartford High School
– Best work in Digital Art: Hari Yoganathan, Fayetteville-Manlius High School
– Best 2-D Junior High artwork: Emma Bailey, Wellwood Middle School
– Best 3-D Junior High artwork: Hadley Dellecese, Whitesboro Middle School
Additional honors were awarded in various categories, including the Light Work Award for best photography portfolio, presented to Crystal Potekhin from Chittenango High School, and the Onondaga Community College Award for best fine arts portfolio, which went to Bryce Keller from Tully Jr/Sr High School.
As the Central New York region continues to foster artistic talent among its youth, the CNY Scholastic Art Awards remain a vital platform for young artists to gain recognition and pursue their passion for the arts. The ongoing support from local organizations underscores the importance of nurturing creativity in the next generation.
