• PCS Visual Arts Logo

    The Visual Arts in Pinellas County Schools are nationally recognized because of the district's continuing commitment to the arts. Additionally, due to crucial funding provided by the Pinellas County Schools Referendum and enthusiastic community support, visual arts programs at every level are flourishing like never before!

     

    2024-2025 Visual Arts Points of Pride:

    • Pinellas All-County K-12 Exhibition Open-House Reception on 9/24/24 – 302 certificates picked up by students out of 1,507 certificates printed (approximately 1,000 students, families, art teachers, administrators, and guests attended). Around 50 art teachers volunteered to help at the event (link to article and photos in PCS Newsroom).
    • Studio Thinking Framework (research-based eight Studio Habits of Mind) initiative launched at Visual Arts District-Wide Training Day in August. Implemented in all art programs across the district this school year (link to learn more (link to learn more).
    • Six elementary Summer Art Camps, which included three visual arts camps, two 3D printing camps, and one moviemaking camp (link to view student artwork produced).
    • Five secondary art camps, which included two mural-making camps, one 3D puppet printing and movie-making camp, and one AP “Boot Camp” for middle and high school students. Student experiences ranged from mural painting, creating digital art and photography, learning about 3D printing and animation, immersion in traditional drawing and painting activities, producing sculpture and ceramics, and participating in printmaking and fiber arts (link to view student artwork produced).
    • The Dali Museum Traveling Art Mobile visited six elementary schools. Approximately 3,000 K-5 students toured the mini-museum at their schools with their art teachers.
    • Before or after-school Art Clubs (ELP/Promise Time) at schools led by PCS visual arts teachers.
    • PreK-12 Visual Arts Department taught three art project lessons to around 70 displaced students from Madeira Beach K-8 and Gulf Beaches ES after Hurricane Helene on 9/30 and 10/1 (see two attached photos)
    • 60 PCS students from four ESE Centers had work on display at The James Museum in St. Petersburg from 10/16 to 10/24 (link to social media post).
    • In September, Fox 13 ran a story about Jesse Kiebzak, the Mildred Helms ES art teacher, who inspires his students through his “wearable art” he creates for celebrities (link to news story).
    • Forest Lakes ES art teacher Judith Woodward was selected as Bay News 9 “A+ Teacher” in August (link to news story). Judith was also nominated for the Florida Art Education Association (FAEA) Elementary Art Teacher of the Year Award
    • Curlew Creek ES art teacher Natalie Potacco was chosen as Bay News 9 “A+ Teacher” in August (link to news story).
    • 59 PCS art teachers attended the annual Florida Art Education Association (FAEA) Professional Development Conference in St. Petersburg from Oct. 17-20. Around 40 of them taught sessions or led workshops for colleagues from all over the state
    • Three PCS art educators were honored at the annual Florida Art Education Association (FAEA) Conference: PreK-12 Visual Arts Specialist Jonathan Ogle received the Art Supervisor of the Year Award, Retired PreK-12 Visual Arts Specialist Sue Castleman received the Pearl Krepps Legacy Award, and Richard L. Sanders art teacher Zach Thompson received the Adaptive Art Teacher of the Year Award (link to news article).
    • High School Word & Image Exhibition Reception and Awards Ceremony was held at the Morean Arts Center on Nov. 14. 74 artworks displayed (link to news article).
    • K-5 Creative StART Schools with Names N-W Exhibition Reception and Awards Ceremony was hosted at Dunedin Fine Art Center on Nov. 21. 70 works on display. Fox 13 ran a new story on this show (link to news article).
    • Middle School Word & Image Exhibition Reception and Awards Ceremony was held at the Morean Arts Center on Dec. 12. 75 artworks displayed.
    • Dunedin Highland Middle School student wins 2024-25 Florida Art in the Capitol Middle School Art Competition for Pinellas County; will meet State Rep soon
    • 1st Annual City of Dunedin K-12 Student Exhibition at the new city hall building. The reception was on Dec. 3 (link to social media posting).
    • Annual Oldsmar City Hall Children’s Art Exhibition with Oldsmar Elementary and Forest Lakes Elementary on Tues., Oct. 22. Nearly 1,000 K-5 works were displayed (link social media posting).
    • ABC Action News ran a news story at Lake St. George ES on the impacts of the PCS Referendum on students and teachers in the arts (link to ABC news story).
    • Art supplies & tools ordered by the Art Office and delivered for the displaced art teachers and students from Gulf Beaches and Madeira Beach K-8 schools
    • The PreK-12 Visual Arts Department worked with St. Petersburg College to start a new Art Education undergraduate program (bachelor’s degree); anticipated to launch in fall of 2026.
    • Field trip experience to the Imagine Museum for all Pre-Advanced Placement Visual Arts course enrolled middle school students from 19 PCS schools from Nov. 18-21 (approx. 570 students)
    • Visual Arts Department conducted 2nd Annual PCS Chalk Mural Challenge with four teams of students from schools and Glow-in-the-Dark artmaking activity for students at 3rd Annual Experience PCS Event at Clearwater HS on Sat., Dec. 7 (link to highlight video and link to view photos)
    • The 2025 Pinellas County Art Region of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Exhibition Reception and Ceremony at Gibbs High School on February 6. Pinellas County middle and high school students earned 625 awards and were individually recognized. All Gold Key-awarded work was nationally adjudicated. The National Awards Announcement was on March 26.
    • 120 middle and high school student 2-D and 3-D artworks were displayed in the 2025 Pinellas Student Surrealist Exhibition at The Dali Museum. This is the 40th year. An open-house reception and awards ceremony was held on February 23. Nearly 500 people attended, according to The Dali Museum (link to article).
    • On February 27, 60 PCS students were honored at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art for having 2-D and 3-D artwork showcased in the Visual Metaphors High School Exhibition (link to article).
    • The 24-25 New Perspectives High School Exhibition Reception and Awards Ceremony was held on Feb. 20 at the Dunedin Fine Art Center. 90 2-D and 3-D works created by PCS students were displayed (link to the article).
    • The 2025 Clearwater Arts Alliance’s “March is Youth Art Month” K-8 Exhibition Reception and Awards were held at Creative Pinellas on March 2. 140 2-D student works created by Pinellas County students are on display until March 30. Over 400 people attended according to Creative Pinellas. Fox 13 ran a news story on the show (link to video story and article).
    • On March 13, the 3rd annual K-8 State of the Digital Arts (SODA) Exhibition Reception and Awards Ceremony was held at the Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art on the St. Petersburg College Tarpon Spring Campus. 100 innovative works of digital art, photography, 3-D printed art, short films and animations were showcased.
    • PCS students won two of the three top awards in the 2025 Gasparilla Festival of the Arts High School Exhibition in early March. (PCS students earned two of top the three awards for the last three years in a row.) Six school districts in the Tampa Region are invited to participate and submit seven of their very best works of art (link to article with photos).
    • Eight PCS students earned awards in the 2025 Florida State Fair Art Portfolio Competition (link to article).
    • The 10th annual Kids Tag Art Pinellas Awards Ceremony was held at Largo HS on Jan. 23. The KTA program is a partnership between the PreK-12 Visual Arts Department and the Pinellas Tax Collector. 53 elementary schools involving 2,424 5th graders designed front-facing vanity tags. Highlights video shared at School Board Meeting (link to video story).
    • PCS student wins College Fund of Pinellas County (scholarships program) mascot art contest (link to the article).
    • Mila Holcomb, an 8th-grade student at Dunedin Highland Middle School, was recognized on Thursday, December 19th, at Dunedin City Hall during a City Commission Meeting for having her artwork selected for the cover of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce 2025 Directory. Mila’s art teacher, Alicia Urbano, submitted the work to a city-wide student art contest earlier this fall. The directory reached 18,000 households and businesses this year (link to view photos).
    • The PCS School Board proclaimed “March is Youth Art Month” during the School Board Meeting on February 25. This year’s theme is “Healing through Color.”
    • McMullen Booth Elementary School Art Teacher, Anne Treulich, was the Superintendent’s Standout at the School Board Meeting on February 25.
    • PCS Visual Arts Coordinator and FAEA President Latonya Hicks was elected to serve as the Secondary Division Director-Elect on the National Art Education Association Board. She will begin her term at the conclusion of the 2025 NAEA National Convention on March 23.
    • The PreK-12 Visual Arts Department helped develop and coordinate the 2025 PCS STEAM Bus Art Wrap Contest for middle school students. 41 art and design works were submitted by middle school students. This was in partnership with Strategic Planning & Policy and Science Department. The bus is now heading into the bus wrap design phase and will incorporate at least one student’s art/design piece.
    • A PCS Listen & Learn arts-focused session was held on March 11 at The Dali Museum in St. Petersburg. Students, families, staff, and community members had the opportunity to learn more about the district, engage with PCS leaders, and share their ideas. Several award-winning PCS students works were displayed on easels during the event (link to the recording).
    • Natalie Potacco, Art Teacher at Curlew Creek ES, was celebrated at the PCS Evening of Excellence Teacher of the Year Event in St. Petersburg on January 27. Photos can be viewed by going to this link.
    • PCS Visual Arts Coordinator and FAEA President Latonya Hicks was elected to serve as the Secondary Division Director-Elect on the National Art Education Association Board. She will begin her term at the conclusion of the 2025 NAEA National Convention in March.
    • By the end of the school year, 8,102 artwork entries were submitted by art teachers, and 4,069 2-D and 3-D artworks were displayed in over 25 district and county-wide exhibitions at local art museums, art centers, and galleries. 794 art awards were earned by Pinellas County K-12 students. All of the accepted artwork can be viewed in the PCS Student Virtual Art Gallery at this link.
    • The 24-25 K-12 Exceptional Voices Art Exhibition was held on April 12 at Studio@620. 136 2-D and 3-D artworks were displayed (link to article).
    • The 24-25 Calyx Schenecker Art Infinitum reception was held on May 1 at St. Petersburg College Clearwater Campus. 72 HS 2-D and 3-D artworks were displayed (link to article).
    • 93 student 2-D and 3-D artworks were displayed in the 24-25 Taking Shape Middle School Exhibition at the Dunedin Fine Art Center. A reception and awards ceremony were held on April 17 (article link).
    • 200 3-D artworks, 40 photographs, and 33 short films and animations were showcased in the 24-25 Dynamic Dimensions K-12 Exhibition at The James Museum in April (link to article).
    • 220 2-D and 3-D student artworks were displayed in the 2025 Mainsail Art Festival “Young At Art” K-12 Exhibition in Vinoy Park in early April (link to article).
    • Pinellas County Schools partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg on the first annual Superintendent’s Exhibition of Excellence, showcasing artwork created by students in advanced visual arts courses (article link).
    • Pinellas County Schools did the best in the state in the annual Florida Art Education Association's Florida Student Art Assessment with 169 Awards of Excellence and 43 Awards of Excellence with Distinction (out of 90 earned state-wide). An Award of Excellence with Distinction means the artwork was given perfect scores from all the art judges on the panel. The Best of Show Award, The Middle Division Award, and the Elementary Division Award were earned by PCS students (link to view artwork).
    • On March 26, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards announced its 2025 national winners. Pinellas students won 16 Gold and Silver Medals. Gold Medalist students and their art teachers will travel to New York City for the National Awards Ceremony at Carnegie Hall in June (link to article).
    • PCS students earned "The Best of Show" (Congressional Choice Awards) in both the 13th Congressional and 14th Congressional Districts High School Art Competitions again this school year. The two winning artworks for this year are currently on display in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. This marks the third consecutive year that PCS students have won both congressional district shows. PCS Newsroom article link to 13th Congressional winner. PCS Newsroom article link to 14th Congressional winner.
    • In March, 14 PCS secondary student photographs were selected for display in the 2nd Annual Jacob Kamis Photography Exhibition, along with student photos from Hillsborough at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts in Tampa. Four PCS students earned top awards (link to article). PCS also did a video spotlight – here’s the link.
    • Fox 13 News did a video story about the latest mural designs at John Hopkins Middle School painted by students. PCS Referendum funds allowed local artists to visit the school and collaborate with the students and art teachers in making these murals (link to the video story).
    • In May, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital announced the 2025 Bike Safety Poster Art Contest Winners. Five students from Fairmount Park Elementary and Elisa Nelson Elementary had their artwork selected for this local competition. St. Petersburg City Councilman Corey Givens Jr. personally visited and congratulated the Fairmount Park ES winners.
    • Clearwater High School students design ocean-themed fashion to help their hometown aquarium with the assistance of their art teacher, Megan Hoffman. The ABC Action News video story and article can be seen at this link.
    • Clearwater HS AP Art students worked with Eckert College science students on an interdisciplinary art project this year (link to the article).
    • An East Lake High School student won 1st place in the Visual Arts discipline in the 2025 Walker’s Rising Stars Arts HS Scholarship Competition. The following link has all of the Walker’s Rising Stars Visual Arts Finalists artwork and video interviews.
    • The visual arts educators at the four ESE Centers collaborated on a joint student art exhibition at the ArtsXchange Gallery in the Warehouse Arts District in May. It was the 5th annual exhibit and the theme was “Infinite Beyond.” Link to PCS article on facebook.
    • Two PCS students’ artworks were displayed outdoors in the 2025 Embracing Our Differences Exhibition in Poynter Park, St. Petersburg. Only 50 artists from around the world get to have their artwork showcased on billboards in this unique exhibition (link to view artwork).
    • The PreK-12 Visual Arts Department collaborated with the Strategic Planning and Policy team and the Science Department to run a district-wide STEAM Bus Art Wrap Middle School Contest in March. 41 students submitted their artwork work or designs and four students from Clearwater Fundamental Middle, East Lake Middle, and Meadowlawn Middle had their artwork selected to be incorporated into the bus wrap design. The bus will roll out this summer to schools. It’s first stop will be the PCS Summer Art Camp at Dunedin HS in June.
    • Thanks to PCS Referendum funding, 13 elementary and secondary Summer Visual Arts Camps will be offered at several schools across the county to currently enrolled PCS students through the district’s Enrichment Camps program during June and July. Each camp will focus on a different topic, such as 3-D modeling and printing, animation and moviemaking, digital art and photography, traditional art media, Advance Placement Art, mural-making with local artists, etc.
    • The PreK-12 Visual Arts Department, PreK-12 Performing Arts Department, and the High School Education Office officially rolled out the Florida Fine Arts Seal Program for Pinellas County Schools in March and April. Fine Arts Specialists Ajori Spencer and Jonathan Ogle shared details with high school principals and data management technicians (DMTs). A flyer, student application form, and webpage can be found on the district’s new webpage: www.pcsb.org/fineartsseal
    • Garrison-Jones ES Art Teacher Suzanne Williams and Clearwater Fundamental MS Art Teacher Karen Santangelo were recognized during the 2025 Kraf-Custer Outstanding Educator’s Awards banquet at Ruth Eckerd Hall in May.
    • Dunedin Highland MS Art Teacher Alicia Urbano was recognized with the Achievement in the Arts Award during the Mayor’s School Awards Program for the City of Dunedin on 4/21.
    • Forest Lakes Elementary School Art Teacher Judith Woodward traveled to Louisville, KY, to present a session on 3-D Printed Art at the National Art Education Association Convention over Spring Break in March. Judith represented Pinellas County Schools and shared her expertise with colleagues from across the nation.
    • Curlew Creek Elementary Art Teacher Natalie Potacco was selected in May for PCS IT Factor. Her Inspiring Teachers video was posted on social media (link to video).
    • Bauder Elementary Art Teacher Linda Griffin was Bay News 9’s A+ Teacher in May. Link to video story titled “A+ Teacher Helps Students Find a Love for Art”.
    • PreK-12 Visual Arts Specialist Jonathan Ogle was nominated for the National Art Education Association’s Southeast Region Supervisor of the Year.
    • The PreK-12 Visual Arts Department was selected as the “Department of the Year” by the Project Search Internship Program at the PCS Administration Building in May. The Art Department has several interns who help with processing student artwork for district and county-wide art shows throughout the year.
    • 8,810 students went on 153 Art Referendum-funded Field Trips to local art museums and art centers during the 2024-2025 school year.
    • The 2025-2026 Pinellas All-County K-12 Exhibition, with 1,594 works of original 2-D and 3-D art, has been installed throughout the district's Administration Building and opened on June 1, 2025. It is considered the nation's largest annual student art exhibition. These captivating works were created by K-12 art students representing every school in our district. Participating students, their families, friends, art teachers, and administrators are invited to the annual open-house evening reception event on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. The show closes on April 1, 2026.

     

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