Sixteen JPS students from C.V. Bush and M.J. Fletcher elementary schools, Persell and Washington middle schools, and Jamestown High School had artwork selected for the display by their art teacher and the city. During the reception on Tuesday evening, Sundquist and JPS Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker presented each student with a certificate marking the achievement.

Students whose artwork was selected were Annaleigh Young, Gracelynn Davis, and Rylee Cronin from Bush; Randalyn Torres and Sadie Ecklof from Fletcher; Aiden Fitzpatrick, Aquila Becker, Chevie Daniels, Jarren Cotter, Lilyanna Espinoza, and Morgan Hays from JHS; Kammey Kapizi and Makaelyn Piotrowski from Persell; Aracelli DiNapoli, Ireland Bartlett, and Parker Tomaszewski from Washington.

The display marks the first time student art has been displayed in City Hall in roughly two decades.

“Art helps to influence our lives, get out of our emotions and helps us to think clearly about what we do,” said Sundquist, a 2007 JHS graduate. “We wanted to be able to showcase student artwork here at City Hall because 300 people a day walk through those doors. And those 300 people a day will see each and every one of these students’ art work as well as how talented and incredible each and every one of these students are.”

Bush Elementary School student Annaleigh Young poses for a photo with her family next to her artwork that was selected to hang in City Hall.

“This art forum does not happen without our incredibly talented kids,” Whitaker said. “This is the product of the hard work and talent of our teachers and our students in our fine arts program classrooms. The incredible community support for our art programs as well as the support from administrators, and families who encourage that support makes this all possible. We are grateful to the Mayor’s Office for helping to display and encourage our young artists to express their talents in this public way.”

Student artwork will be on display at City Hall through the end of the year.