“YOUTH ART EXHIBITION” Anagha Kannurpatti of Council Rock High School North in Newtown, Pa., took First Place in the Works on Paper category for “Illumination” in last year’s student exhibition at the Phillips’ Mill Community Association.

Twelve years after its debut, the “Youth Art Exhibition” at Phillips’ Mill Community Association continues to showcase the artwork of area high school students. It will be on view at the historic mill on weekends January 26 through February 16, from 12 to 4 p.m. The show can also be viewed online at www.phillipsmill.org/art/youth-art-exhibition.

Art teachers at 24 area high schools curate the artwork, submitting paintings, works on paper, photography, digital art, and 3-dimensional work. The schools participating this year are Central Bucks High School East, Central Bucks High School West, Central Bucks High School South, Council Rock High School North, Council Rock High School South, Ewing High School, George School, Hillsborough High School, Holy Ghost Preparatory School, Hopewell Valley Central High School, Hunterdon Central Regional High School, Neshaminy High School, New Hope-Solebury High School, Notre Dame High School, Pennsbury High School, Princeton Day School, Solebury School, Stuart Country Day School, The Hun School, The Pennington School, Upper Dublin High School, West Windsor-Plainsboro North, West Windsor-Plainsboro South, and Villa Victoria.

The “Youth Art Exhibition” offers these young artists a taste of what it’s like to be a professional artist. “We display the students’ art the same way we display the prestigious ‘Phillips’ Mill Juried Art Show,’ so it is very professionally done,” said Kathy Schroeher, founder and co-chair of the show along with Susan Brussock. “It’s great for the kids to see their work in a beautiful space and professional gallery. It’s different from having it shown at your high school art show. They get the chance to reach a much broader audience, and you can see what the other kids are doing.”

In addition to having their work on display, the students’ work is juried for awards for first, second and third place in each of five categories, plus one Best in Show award. Esteemed artist Freda Williams, a resident of the Trenton area and Ewing Township for over 70 years and known for her love of color, vivid images of nostalgic memories, cultural experiences, and political impressions, is this year’s awards juror.

Many “Youth Art Exhibition” students have gone on to study art in college and make careers for themselves in the arts. Youth art alums have attended Rhode Island School of Design, Tyler School of Art, Savannah College of Art & Design, Fashion Institute of Technology, School of Visual Arts, and Pratt School of Art.

The “Youth Art Exhibition” is Phillips’ Mill’s gift to the community. The mill charges no fees to schools or students participating in the show. There are no admission fees to see the show at the mill, and no commissions are taken on sales of the students’ artwork. The 16 cash awards presented are funded by mill members and patrons of the show. Support of this show helps develop artists of the future.

Phillips’ Mill Community Association is located at 2619 River Road in New Hope, Pa. For more information, call (215) 882-0582 or visit www.phillipsmill.org.