This year’s Harwood Unified Union Student Art Show at the Big Red Barn at Lareau Farm and Forest concluded over Memorial Day weekend, drawing positive reviews from the community.
Families, teachers, students, residents and diners from nearby American Flatbread attended the opening reception, creating an energetic and welcoming atmosphere.
Younger students guided families to their classroom displays, while older students gathered throughout the gallery to view and discuss one another’s work. The exhibition created a public platform where students felt recognized, encouraged and connected through creativity.
Jean Sharry, board president of Mad Arts, praised the foundational support behind the event.
“The show continues because of the vision and dedication of George Schenk, the originator of the Student Art Show and a longtime advocate for youth arts in the Mad River Valley," Sharry said. "Schenk established the exhibition as more than an annual event; he created a lasting community tradition rooted in creativity, mentorship and public engagement. His belief that young artists deserve the same care and visibility as professional artists transformed the Red Barn into a vibrant cultural space where students could proudly share their work with the community.”
Sharry added that a defining strength of the exhibition is its collaborative spirit, bringing together students from many schools and learning environments into one shared exhibition. Together, their work offers a powerful reflection of how young people across the region see and interpret the world around them.
Sam Talbot-Kelly, executive director of Mad Arts, emphasized the importance of sustaining opportunities like the Harwood Unified Union School District Student Art Show and praised Schenk for his ongoing commitment to supporting emerging artists.
“Art education helps young people build confidence, persistence, problem-solving skills and self-expression while fostering empathy, connection and understanding of different perspectives," Talbot-Kelly said. "For Mad Arts, the exhibition reflects the organization’s mission to make creativity an active part of everyday community life and to provide students with meaningful public platforms where their work is valued and celebrated.”
The success of the exhibition was made possible through the continued generosity of Schenk, his family and the team at Lareau Farm and Forest.
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Photos by Jean Sharry
