Olympia High School student’s artwork wins top prize at regional art show 

Students from schools in Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater were some of the winners of the 2026 Regional High School Art Show, with Matthew Wang of Olympia High School creating the top-rated piece, “Reanimated.” 

Educational Service District (ESD) 113 holds the annual regional art show, which gets entries from Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties.  

Eight judges each identified the top 15, which became the rankings that determined the 15 pieces advancing to the state show.  

“Since 1973, high school students across Washington have competed in regional art shows sponsored by the state’s nine educational service districts. Regional winners advance to the state level to participate in the State Superintendent’s High School Art Show,” stated the district in an announcement about the art show winners on Tuesday, March 17.

Aside from the top 15, judges also recognized winners in four other categories: People’s Choice, ESD 113 Board of Directors Choice, Olympia Art League’s Choice and Central Washington University’s Department of Art + Design Choices.  

The Olympia Art League awarded scholarships to the People’s Choice winner, their own selection, ESD 113's Board Choice and the top-rated piece.  

The Central Washington University’s Department of Art + Design also awarded $2,000 scholarships to their picks. 

A reception for students and their families is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, at ESD 113's Administration Building in Tumwater. 

Regional Winners 

Avanti High School 
Teacher: Cecily Schmidt 

• Jozey Donze - "Death Gives Birth to Life" - Mixed Media Sculpture 

Black Hills High School 
Teacher: Dave Wegener 

• Jane Birchard - "Silly Face" (self-portrait) - Acrylic on Canvas 

Napavine High School 
Teacher: Jennifer Kinsman 

• Levin Russkaoff - "Bleach" - Alcohol Markers and Ink 

Olympia High School 
Teacher: Joshua Everson 

• Sylvia Chan - "Pesca'o" - Papercut 

• Raegan Hoffman - "Fleeting" - Acrylic 

• Georgia Maurer - "Father's Day" - Papercut 

• Sigrid Owens - "The Streets of Bergen" - Ink 

• Aidan Stoker - "Fountain" - Mixed Media 

• Matthew Wang - "Reanimated" - Charcoal 

Teacher: Courtney Warnick 

• Hailey Damerow - "Overripe" - Clay, Acrylic 

River Ridge High School 
Teacher: Alexandra Green 

• Noah Martinsen - "Ruby Beach" - Oil Paint on Canvas 

Tumwater High School 
Teacher: Jill Giudice 

• Lily Blake - "Blossoming” - Oil Paint 

• Kieran Cox - "Treeline" - Ceramic 

• Ryan Hillman - "Beach Weather" - Acrylic Paint and Markers 

Teacher: Traci McGowan 

• Andrew Penrose - "Within the Foggy Valley" - Digital Print of Film Photography 

 Central Washington University Scholarship Winners 

Avanti High School 
Teacher: Cecily Schmidt 

• Jozey Donze - "Death Gives Birth to Life" - Mixed Media Sculpture 

Olympia High School 

• Teacher: Joshua Everson 

• Sophie Fetherston - "Change" - Pen 

• Aidan Stoker - "Fountain" - Mixed Media 

• Marina Vujasinovic - "Cafe culture" - Mixed Media 

• Matthew Wang - "Reanimated" - Charcoal 

Teacher: Courtney Warnick 

• Hailey Damerow - "Overripe" - Ceramic, Acrylic 

Rochester High School 
Teacher: Emily Fagan 

• Ariel Maekawa Sanborn - "Sunday Afternoon" -Chalk Pastel on Black Paper 

Tumwater High School 
Teacher: Jill Giudice 

• Lily Blake - "Blossoming" - Oil paint 

• Kieran Cox - "Treeline" - Ceramic 

Tenino High School 
Teacher: Ella Caplan 

• Shane Elrod - "Excaliber" - Metal and Welding 

ESD 113 Board of Directors' Choice 

Tumwater High School 
Teacher: Traci McGowan 

• Cole Jones - "Starry Night" - Digital Photography 

People's Choice 

Tumwater High School 
Teacher: Jill Giudice 

• Zoe Potts - "Monster Cake" - Ceramics 

 Olympia Art League's Choice 

Olympia High School 
Teacher: Joshua Everson 

• Matthew Wang - "Reanimated" - Charcoal