Arts for Rural Texas Announces Its Emerging Artists Competition Winners

Every year in August, Arts for Rural Texas (ARTS) presents Emerging Artists, its annual youth art competition and exhibition that showcases the creativity and talent of rural Texas students. Students in grades 6-12 are invited to submit their original works of art for a chance to earn ribbons and a share of $5,000 in cash prizes.

The opening reception and awards ceremony were held on Saturday, Aug. 2 at the ARTS Ross Gallery in Fayetteville. Winners of the 2025 Emerging Artists Competition are:

Best in Show: Xaylene Puente 6th Grade Winners: First Place - Charles Paterson Second Place - Jessie Jo Ogden Third Place - Adalyn Emmel Honorable Mention - Cade White 7th Grade Winners: First Place - Gavrielle Footnick Second Place - Delilah Citzler Third Place - Rylie Adams Honorable Mention - Jewel Chovanec 8th Grade Winners: First Place - Madeleine Richardson Second Place - Charlotte Schmidt Third Place - Penelope Paterson 9th Grade Winners: First Place - Nayeli Akins Second Place - Makenna Emmel Third Place - Vivian Daniel Honorable Mention - Julia Tucker 10th Grade Winners: First Place - Michelle Onianwa Second Place - Bianca Carrillo Third Place - Sydney Bowling Honorable Mention - Jacob Lee 11th Grade Winners: First Place- Amber Hayley Second Place- Olivia Dominey Third Place- Lorelei Smith Honorable Mention- Emma Koeth 12th Grade Winners: First Place- Jordi Phillips Second Place- Carnell Burns Third Place- Nolan Dominey Honorable Mention- Jackson White Honorable Mention- Callie Schulte

The exhibition will be on display until Aug. 30. The Ross Gallery is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Visit the gallery or find ARTS online at www.artsforruraltexas.org to see the show and all award winners.