News Release
For Immediate Release
June 5, 2026
Contact
Gina Patterson, executive director
434-295-8722 or gina@vsba.org
VSBA Announces Winners of Second Annual Statewide Art Contest
Charlottesville, VA – The Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) is proud to announce the winners of the second annual VSBA Statewide Art Contest, an initiative created to showcase and celebrate the artistic talent of Virginia’s public school students. The contest featured entries from across the Commonwealth and included three grade-level categories: elementary, middle, and high school.
Three statewide winners were selected from a pool of first-place winners representing each of the nine VSBA regions. These regional winners were chosen during the VSBA Spring Regional Networking Forums. After a highly competitive selection process, the following students have been named the 2026 VSBA Statewide Art Contest winners:
- Elementary School Winner: Joseph Asael López Rivera, Galax Elementary School, Galax City Public Schools
- Middle School Winner: Arjanea Lewis, Edward W. Wyatt Middle School, Greensville County Public Schools
- High School Winner: Mia Johnson, Marion Senior High School, Smyth County Public Schools
Each winner will receive a $1,000 award, a commemorative trophy, and will be recognized at the VSBA Conference on Education in Virginia Beach on Thursday, July 16, 2026. VSBA Executive Director Gina Patterson said, “This contest celebrates the incredible talent and creativity of our students while giving them a meaningful opportunity to connect with school board members across Virginia. Public education plays a vital role in nurturing creativity and self-expression, and the arts help students discover their voice, confidence, and potential. We are proud to highlight the important place the arts hold in a well-rounded education.”
About the Virginia School Boards Association
The Virginia School Boards Association, a voluntary, nonpartisan organization of Virginia school boards, promotes excellence in public education through advocacy, training, and services. The Association offers conferences, information, training, and counseling designed to meet the needs of the Commonwealth’s educational leaders.
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