“PORTRAIT OF GIRL DRAWING”: This work by Annika Crawford won “Best in Show” in the 2022 “Youth Art Exhibition” at Phillips’ Mill. This year’s exhibition opens on January 28 and runs on weekends through February 18.

To kick off the new year, Phillips’ Mill Community Association in New Hope, Pa., will feature its annual “Youth Art Exhibition” showcasing artwork from local high school students. Now in its 11th year, the exhibition opens at the historic Mill on January 28 and runs on weekends through February 18.  The show will also be available online at phillipsmill.org/art/youth-art-exhibition.

Working in collaboration with school art teachers who curate the artwork submitted, the show features paintings, works on paper, photography, digital art and 3-dimensional work. There are 23 schools participating this year.

The “Youth Art Exhibition” gives 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. “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.” 

Esteemed artist Mel Leipzig will serve as the show’s awards juror this year. Leipzig’s work is in the collections of the Whitney Museum of American Art, the National Academy Museum and the Cooper-Hewitt Museum in New York City, the New Jersey State Museum, and the Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Museum at Rutgers, among numerous others. As the show’s juror, he will lend his expertise awarding a number of prizes including Best in Show.

“Youth Art Exhibition” students have gone on to enjoy various successes after participating in the Phillips’ Mill shows including acceptances to art colleges. Annika Crawford, who won the Best in Show award in 2022, submitted a painting to this year’s “94th Juried Art Show at Phillips’ Mill.” It was accepted and sold.

The “Youth Art Exhibition” is truly a gift to the community, schools, and students. The Mill charges no fees to schools or students participating in the show. There are no fees charged to view the gallery at the Mill and the proceeds of any sales go entirely to the artists. Awards are funded by generous Mill members and patrons of the show.

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