Show Low High School senior Kara Betts, Round Valley High School senior Menelanna LeSueur, and Piñon High School senior Nevaeh Dempsey are the top awardees of Northland Pioneer College’s (NPC) 39th Annual Juried High School Art Exhibit. The trio of student artists captured Best of Show awards and art tuition scholarships to NPC for the 2025-26 academic year.
NPC 3D Art Faculty and Talon Gallery Director, Magda Gluszek, and NPC 2D Art Faculty, Peterson Yazzie, juried this year’s entries.
Commenting on the Best of Show winning colored pencil and acrylic painting titled “Home in My Heart” by Show Low High School senior Kara Betts, Yazzie explained, “The attention to detail is remarkable and the texture is lifelike. It almost feels like the bird could flutter right off the page. The blending of the colored pencils and acrylic is seamless, creating a smooth transition of hues that brings the bird to life in a way that’s both vibrant and delicate. One of the captivating features of this piece,” He continued, “is the picture within a picture concept. This creative and unique touch adds an extra layer of depth to the artwork, drawing the viewer’s eye in and inviting them to look closer.”
Menelanna LeSueur of Round Valley High School also received Best of Show honors for the acrylic artwork “I Sea Horses Dancing in My Mind.” Gluszek explained that the piece “caught the jurors’ eye because of the skill that was used in rendering it in acrylic paint, as well as the apparent humor behind the artwork.” She said, “It is cleverly composed with the two horses trotting together, creating a rhythm in the waves of the background where they are repeated multiple times in pairs.” She explained, “There is texture, and a complex blending of color. The sky has a lot of warm colors in it, which creates an inviting feeling that is carried down into the waves. The blending of paint creates unity throughout this composition.”
Nevaeh Dempsey from Piñon High School took Best of Show accolades for “Hibiscus in Styrofoam,” a 3D piece made with Styrofoam and hot glue. NPC Art Faculty Peterson Yazzie said, “The hibiscus, known for its vivid beauty, is a perfect subject for the medium of styrofoam. The natural elegance captured in this delicate material gives it a soft, almost realistic quality. The intricacy of capturing the details of the hibiscus flower in the light, airy medium of styrofoam makes the piece exceptional.” He explained, “The amount of dimension and precision captured in the medium shows the artist’s drive and creativity as the curves and shapes of the petals come to life.”
In addition to the top three Best of Show awards, senior Dineh Parrish of Monument Valley High School placed first in the 3D art category. Isabella Sachse of Snowflake High School took home a second-place award, and Ganado High School Senior Zack Henio earned third place.
Twenty entries were selected for this year’s show. Gluszek said, “Thank you to all of the art teachers in our area for promoting creativity and artwork with your students and for encouraging them to enter this exhibition.” Yazzie echoed that sentiment and said, “It’s always a great feeling to highlight and acknowledge the local talent we have throughout the region at the high school level. Congratulations to all who entered and were accepted into this show. We are looking forward to working with the best of show students in the future.”
The full exhibit can be enjoyed virtually at the NPC Talon Gallery webpage www.npc.edu/hs-show-2025. For more information on this and upcoming NPC art exhibitions, please contact Magda Gluszek at (928) 532-6176 or email magda.gluszek@npc.edu.
