MWHS artists competed in the MSHSL Visual Arts Festival.
April 23, 2025 — Mound Westonka High School art students competed in the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Visual Arts Festival, the largest regional art competition in the state, on April 22 in Chaska. Seniors Emmy Levitz and Astrid Nelson earned Judge’s Choice: Spotlight on the Arts Awards and will advance to the state competition at Perpich Center for Arts Education in Golden Valley on May 10.
Westonka entered 18 artworks into the competition by 17 artists, earning 14 Superior awards and three Awards of Excellence.
“We had a heck of a showing at the festival!” said art teacher Jana Pare. Twenty schools participated in the competition, which presented only 18 Spotlight Awards, and MWHS students came away with two of them.
Earning Superior awards for their pieces were: seniors Anri Akiyama-Finger (2 pieces), Emmy Levitz, Astrid Nelson, Brenden Sexton, and Lauren Velander; juniors Emma Covell, Madison McCutcheon, and Chloe Patterson; sophomores Asher Michl, Niles Senn, Charlotte Swanson, and Ava Wittine, and ninth grader Luciana Leyva. Awards of Excellence went to senior Tanner Blume, and juniors Suzie Marth and Payton Waltz.
"I'm immensely proud of our students' achievements - among several hundred pieces, their work stood out as thoughtful, technically proficient, and inventive,” said art teacher Erica Boyles. “I feel genuinely privileged to be part of their creative endeavors here at MWHS."
Judge’s comments on Levitz’s Spotlight Award-winning sculpture included: “Artist achieved her intention. The piece is very engaging, playful, soft, and comforting. The interior and exterior both elicit different feelings, creating a layered experience for the viewer. Viewing the work is a form of play in itself."
Nelson’s Spotlight Award-winning logo design inspired the following comments from the judge: "The level of thought in this logo design is of professional quality. I believe it would be awarded in any national professional design competition. The way the logo goes from word mark to logo mark in rotation is brilliant."
“This year’s results are a testament to the dedication, creativity, and bold vision of our student artists,” said Pare. "These recognitions reflect the courage our students have to explore, take creative risks, and express themselves with authenticity. I am beyond proud to see their work celebrated at this level.”
All the artwork that was entered into the exhibit is now on display at the Westonka Performing Arts Center. You can also view student artwork here.
Winning Spotlight Awards were pieces by seniors Emmy Levitz, left, and Astrid Nelson, right.
