STUDENT ART CONTEST
March 30 – April 3 2026
10th ANNUAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ART CONTEST & EXHIBITION
John H. Baker Gallery at West Chester University
E.O. Bull Center for the Arts, 2 E Rosedale Ave, West Chester, PA 19383
This year marks a monumental milestone for both the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County and the high school art show: our 10th annual exhibition coincides with DVCCC’s 50th anniversary of serving survivors and advancing the fight against domestic violence.
This year’s show leans into that theme, 50 Years of Empowerment, and invites our artists to reflect on decades of courage, resilience, and advocacy in the fight to end domestic violence – here in Chester County and beyond.
We encourage you to explore how our survivors, advocates, and communities have stood up, raised their voices, and sparked change, turning hope into lasting empowerment!
Please click the button below to register by Friday, March 20th, 2026.
Artwork will be due for drop-off to or pick-up by DVCCC on or before Tuesday, March 24th, 2026.
Our 2025 Student Art Contest
For the 9th year, DVCCC proudly highlighted the talent of young artists from across Chester County. Students entered our contest from schools across Chester County, with 32 pieces featured in a week-long gallery event at Sunset Hill Jewelers and Fine Arts Gallery!
All 31 students artists – from 8 schools across the county (+ some homeschooled) were recognized at a reception event on Saturday, March 29th – hosted by Sandy Riper and the team at Sunset Hill where Dr. Dolly Wideman-Scott encouraged them to continue to share their gift and study their craft and thanked the parents, families, and teachers who support them.
Our judges panel – made up of acclaimed local artists, scholars, and experts in Chester County’s fine arts community – included Dane Tilghman, Gwenn Knapp, Christa Melotti, and Victoria Wyeth.
“It’s fascinating to me how you have all interpreted messages of hope and unity in your artwork … (and) the multitude of media that you used – digital, charcoal, acrylic … some of the pieces literally coming to life!” – Victoria Wyeth shared with our student artists.
First Place: “I See You” by Marissa Lesperance (Unionville High School)
Second Place: “Violet Wounds” by Allison Escobedo (Coatesville Area Senior High School)
Third Place: “Broken Chains” by Mary Flowers (Octorara High School)
People’s Choice award: “Looking Forward” by Sydney Grieco (Unionville High School)
Honorable Mentions were also awarded for the following categories:
Emotional Impact: “Together in Strength” by Caroline McRee (Villa Maria Academy High School)
Use of Color: “Purple Wings, Broken Chains” by Luis Mora Jurado (Collegium Charter School)
Innovative Technique: “I Will Survive” by Doreen Guan (Great Valley High School)
Despite the diversity of styles, mediums, and perspectives represented in this gallery, each individual piece came together to form a cohesive narrative of strength, resilience, and unity – and there was an undeniable thread that binds them all together—the unwavering commitment to shining a light on the issue of domestic violence and standing in solidarity with survivors. We are so proud to have shared this event and learned about the inspiration and insight behind each artistic expression.
Look Back at a Decade of DVCCC’s High School Student Art Show:
