2023 Awards Reception

Top student artists were honored at an Awards Reception on March 3, 2023, at UCR Arts in Riverside.

Students and families in attendance at Awards Reception.

Mike Barney, Executive Director, Instructional Services at RCOE addresses audience.

Fine Arts Spectacular top student artists honored.

Fine Arts Spectacular team: Irene Rodriguez, Louisa Higgins, and Emily Culhan.

2023 Prize Categories

Will be awarded in each grade division (9-12)

• Innovative Interpretation of the Theme
• Meaningful Use of Materials
• Quality Craftsmanship
• Originality
• Expressive Use of Color
• Best Use of Black-and-White
• Judge’s Favorite
• Excellence in Photography
• Excellence in Drawing
• Excellence in Painting
• Excellence in 3D

Submission Requirements

• Each participating school may submit up 10 works total and 1 work per student for consideration.
  • All works MUST be submitted by the teachers on the designated dates.
  • Art teachers will be emailed a link to the Google form for submission.
  • Students may not submit their own works.
  • Each submission should have a 2-3 sentence Artist Statement.

• 2D media including, but not limited to, painting, drawing, mixed media / assemblage, photography
  • Works on paper must be 12” x 16”
  • Works on canvas may be up to 36” x 36” and have painted canvas edges

• 3D media including, but not limited to, ceramics, mixed media, metal
  • 3D works may be no larger than 24"h x 15"w x 15"d

• All image files for submission must be .png, .jpg, or .pdf
  • For all 2D works please submit one (1) high quality, at least 150 dpi, image of the work.
    • Label the file: Last Name, First Initial, Title
  • For all 3D works please submit two (2) high quality, at least 150 dpi, images of the work.     
    • Label the files: Last Name, First Initial, Title 1 and Last Name, First Initial, Title 2

Works selected to be a part of the Fine Arts Spectacular 2023 must be suitable for all audiences. As such works may NOT include nudity, a celebration of drug culture, vulgar language, or depictions of gratuitous violence.

Juroring Process:

• Judges will select from the submitted images to choose the works that will be displayed virtually and in-person.

• Middle and high school finalists will be selected to receive special recognition based on the categories above. High school students will participate in a professional exhibition of their artwork and an in-person awards ceremony.
  • Exhibiting students, as well as their families and teachers, will be invited to an opening reception.

Fine Arts Spectacular Presentation Slides (PDF)