Note: A special thanks to Kathleen High teacher Jessica Mahmood for contributing this news story, and KHS freshman Zayn Ahmed for providing photographs.
On Saturday, the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg held a reception to celebrate this year’s Student Surrealist Art Exhibit.
The event showcases works by middle and high school students who were invited to explore the creative ideas of Salvador Dali and the Surrealists. There were about 500 submissions from across the state, from which the selection committee narrowed down 100 pieces to exhibit.
Twenty-four students from Polk County Public Schools were among those featured in the exhibit, with four earning special recognition.
Congratulations to the following winners and exhibitors:
Award of Excellence: Millie Ortiz, Harrison School for the Arts
Award of Merit: Renier Crespo and Connor Kennedy, Harrison School for the Arts
Honorable Mention: Jaqueline Navarro, Kathleen High
- Middle school exhibitors:
Marina Barrientos, Davenport School of the Arts
Maddison Beirtz, Davenport School of the Arts
Khushi Chauhan, Union Academy
Vhalhallah Covarrubias, Davenport School of the Arts
Madison Eckert, Union Academy
Melanie Freites, Davenport School of the Arts
Rachel Gray, Daniel Jenkins Academy
Luciana Perates Urrutia, Rochelle School of the Arts
Christopher Wheeler, Rochelle School of the Arts
- High school exhibitors:
Catherine Duncan, Harrison School for the Arts
Rachel Garcia, Kathleen High
Garrett Gee, Harrison School for the Arts
Grace Knox, Harrison School for the Arts
Kaiser Louis, Harrison School for the Arts
Kamyla Louis, Harrison School for the Arts
Allison McNeely, Kathleen High
Shaun Morgan, Harrison School for the Arts
Millie Ortiz, Harrison School for the Arts
Madeline Reardon, Harrison School for the Arts
Jenna Strayer, Kathleen High
Main photo caption: Renier Crespo and Jaqueline Navarro were among the PCPS students who earned special recognition at the Dali Museum exhibit.