2025 Agnes Markwalter Youth Art Competition & Exhibition
2025 Best In Show Winner Jessica Cunningham with her piece, “Forgotten Computer”
On view March 5-26, 2025
The Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art, in collaboration with the Markwalter Family, is pleased to announce the 46th Annual Agnes Markwalter Youth Art Competition and Exhibition.
PICK UP Student Artwork for Teachers:
Thursday, March 27th 10am- 6pm
Friday, March 28th 10am-6pm
Saturday, March 29th 9am- 2pm
The annual exhibition pays tribute to the memory of Augusta native and artist Agnes Markwalter in addition to celebrating National Youth Art Month. Each submission will be inspired by this year’s theme, “Healing through Color". All artworks must be a broad interpretation of the theme in order to qualify for an award.
Held in conjunction with National Youth Art Month, the Agnes Markwalter Youth Art Competition and Exhibition seeks to promote the value of art education for all children and to encourage support for quality school art programs throughout the CSRA.
Submission info for the 2026 Agnes Markwalter Youth Art Competition will be sent to teacher email addresses in August 2025. Entries open January 26. Email ghia@ghia.org to be included in the announcements.
AGNES MARKWALTER 2025 AWARDS
About the Juror : Dylan Smeak
The 2025 juror, Dylan Smeak, was Westobou’s 2024 Artist in Residence. Dylan Smeak was born and raised in Augusta, Georgia. His work explores the thick, sticky layers of cultural residue left by time and the haze of nostalgia evoked by objects as simple as worn stickers, old logos, and bygone technological devices.
In his practice, Dylan relies heavily on the immediacy of airbrushing, combining the blue-collar, utilitarian techniques of set designers and automotive painters with the time-tested methods of classical painters.
DIVISION 1, KINDERGARTEN – 2ND GRADES
Honorable Mentions
Samuel Bethune
River Ridge Elementary
Teacher: Courtney Owen
Shane Stone
River Ridge Elementary
Teacher: Courtney Owen
Nova Edwards
Jenkins- White Elementary
Teacher: Audrey Crosby
3rd Place
Anna Ryu
River Ridge Elementary
Teacher: Courtney Owen
2nd Place
Lylas Weber
Garrett Elementary
Teacher: Fox Si-Long
1st place
Armani Walker
Jenkins- White Elementary
Teacher: Audrey Crosby
DIVISION 2, 3RD – 5TH GRADES
Honorable Mentions
Stanley Saballos Jr.
Garrett Elementary
Teacher: Fox Si-Long
Daniela Brito
Baker Elementary
Teacher: Kelley Igo
Alashiya
Jenkins- White Elementary
Teacher: Audrey Crosby
3rd Place
Journeia Gates
Meadowbrook Elementary
Teacher: Wendy Murphy
2nd Place
Cle’Rua Baker
Meadowbrook Elementary
Teacher: Wendy Murphy
1st place
Abigail Sadek
Westminster Schools of Augusta
Teacher: Rachael Nicoletto
DIVISION 3, 6TH – 8TH GRADES
Honorable Mention
“Kayla Barton
Davidson Fine Arts
Teacher: Franklin Delgado
India Matthews
Davidson Fine Arts
Teacher: Carey Mogianesi
Therese Silva
Davidson Fine Arts
Teacher: Franklin Delgado
3rd Place
Eva Spurgeon
Savannah River Academy
Teacher: Nassab Ahmadie
2nd Place
Jacqueline Salazar
Davidson Fine Arts
Teacher: Carey Mogianesi
1st place
Layla Soini
Columbia Virtual Academy
Teacher: Jennifer Wells
DIVISION 4, 9TH – 12TH GRADES
Honorable Mentions
Emerson Smith
Lakeside High School
Teacher: Thomas Jennings
Briana Maxwell
Grovetown High School
Teacher: Ryan Rood
Arianna Brunk
Columbia Virtual Academy
Teacher: Angel Cleary
3rd Place
Trisha Singh
Lakeside High School
Teacher: Becca Anchor
2nd Place
Madeleine Flynn
Greenbrier High School
Teacher: Carrie Brooks
1st place
Hadley Crislip
Davidson Fine Arts
Teacher: Franklin Delgado
BEST OF SHOW
Jessica Cunningham
Forgotten TV
Lakeside High School, 12th Grade
Teacher: Becca Anchor