2026 Scholastic Art Awards #207Now #excellence @mainewestart @mainewestfab

 

Maia Taraszka - Serendipitous Duck

The Scholastic Art Awards are the longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens, and

a large source of scholarshipsfor young artists and writers in the United States and Canada. Teens in grades 7-12, 13 years or older, are

eligible to enter their original art and writing work for a chance at recognition, publication, exhibition and more. 

The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, the non-profit organization that administers the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, partners with more than 100 Affiliate Partners across the country that host the Awards in their community.

The Maine West Fine Arts Department is proud to announce the results of the judging from the 2026 Scholastic Art Awards. HERE is the list of all Chicago-area artists whose works were selected for recognition.

Maine West student artists won a total of 22 awards, including 3 Gold Key Awards, 6 Silver Key Awards, and 13 Honorable Mention Awards.

CLICK HERE to view a portfolio of all Maine West award winning artwork.

The public is invited to attend that Exhibition's Opening Reception on 

Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM at 

Columbia College Chicago - Student Center (754 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605).

GOLD KEY AWARDS (3)

Alaina Fracek (12), Shortness of Breath, Mixed Media, AP Studio Art, Maine West High School

Ashley Schreyer-Miller (12), Ichthys, Mixed Media, AP Studio Art, Maine West High School

Maia Taraszka (11), Serendipitous Duck, Photography 1, Maine West High School

SILVER KEY AWARDS (6)

Ariana Arzola (11), Mac Miller, Ceramics & Glass, Adv. Ceramics and Design, Maine West High School

Alaina Fracek (12), You Are What You Eat, Ceramics & Glass, AP Studio Art, Maine West High School

Delaney Kroschel (10), The Season Ends and the Night Begins, Photography 2, Maine West High School

Elisa Murillo (10), Where Love Burns Out, Photography 2, Maine West High School

Abby Gomez Tello Urias (12), Legacy, Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage, AP Digital Art, Maine West High School

Gwyneth Van Huis (12), Infatuated, Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage, AP Digital Art, Maine West High School

HONORABLE MENTION (13)

Oscar Alanis (9), Bittersweet, Photography, Maine West High School

Paola Alvarez (12), So Close, Yet So Far, AP Studio Art, Maine West High School

Makayla Antusas (12), Chicago Architecture Building, Photography, Maine West High School

Nathan Cajigas (11), Y Al Final Te Sentirás Mejor, Digital Painting, Drawing & Collage, Advanced Digital Art, Maine West High School

Mark David (11), Paper Cutout - Movie Scene, Illustration, Maine West High School

Alaina Fracek (12), Music to Me, Mixed Media, Maine West High School

Alaina Fracek (12), Patty, Mixed Media, Maine West High School

Noriel Garcia (11), Windy City Blues Interior, Photography 2, Maine West High School

Antonia Gomez (12), Daily Semitas, Painting, AP Studio Art, Maine West High School

Alexa Gonzalez (11), Sister Empowerment, Photography 2, Honorable Mention, Maine West High School

Dione Loyola (11), Underwater Dream, Drawing, Art 3, Maine West High School

Melisa Murillo Marquez (10), Red Rosary, Photography 1, Maine West High School

Takhmina Saipova (10), Fourth of July, Photography 2, Maine West High School

Ashley Schreyer-Miller - Ichthys

Gwyneth Van Huis - Infatuated

Elisa Murillo - Where Love Burns Out

Delaney Kroschel - The Season Ends and the Night Begins

Abby Gomez Tello Urias - Legacy

Alaina Fracek - You Are What You Eat

Alaina Fracek - Shortness of Breath

Ariana Arzola - Mac Miller

Orchestra Chamber Music Night Performance #207Now #orchestra @mainewestfab

 

Our Orchestra Chamber Music Night transformed the library into an intimate concert venue filled with focus, artistry, and collaboration. 

Unlike large ensemble concerts, chamber music places every player in the spotlight. Each student carried an essential role—listening closely, leading confidently, and responding in real time. The result was a performance that felt personal, connected, and alive.

The library setting created a unique atmosphere that invited the audience in. Without the distance of a stage, families and friends experienced the music up close, noticing the subtle communication between performers and the expressive details that make chamber music so special.

We are proud of the preparation, independence, and musical maturity these students demonstrated. Experiences like this not only strengthen technical skills but also build leadership, collaboration, and artistic confidence—skills that extend far beyond the orchestra room.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating these dedicated musicians and the beautiful work they shared!

HERE is a folder full of pictures from the event.

HERE is a link to the digital program.

If you weren't able to make it, please enjoy a video of the performance below! (To be posted!)

Scholarship Opportunities for Maine West Fine Art Students #207Now #scholarships @mainewestfab

 

There are a number of scholarship opportunities available to graduating seniors who have been involved in Fine Arts programs at Maine West. Please see the below scholarship opportunities. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask your Fine Arts teacher or Ms. Mullen, Fine Arts Department Chair. You are encouraged to submit application materials for consideration in advance of the due dates.

The MW Fine Arts Boosters scholarships will be awarded at the Senior Awards Night on May 13, 2026.

MAINE WEST FINE ARTS BOOSTERS SCHOLARSHIPS - Due March 20, 2026

Up to 5 scholarships of $500 each are awarded to college-bound seniors who have been active participants in one or more of the Maine West High School fine arts programs: Band, Choir, Orchestra, Visual Arts, West Side Dance Co., Drama, Speech and Broadcasting.

SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

All applicants for scholarships awarded by the Fine Arts Boosters must:

1) Have a cumulative weighted grade point average of 3.0 or higher through the end of the fall semester senior year.

2) Be active in the Maine West Fine Arts programs for a minimum of 2 years.

3) Complete the FAB scholarship online application in its entirety including the transcript copy by submission deadline.  

4) Provide intention of enrollment to a college or university.  Since this is before the commitment date for most universities, the specific school is not required.

Applications must be submitted by midnight on Friday, March 20, 2026.  Only electronic submissions will be accepted.  Late submissions will not be accepted - no exceptions.

HERE is a link to the scholarship application. (Please note, you must use a non-district email address to complete this form.)

If you have any questions, please email them to: MaineWestFineArts@gmail.com

 

Award decisions are made at the sole discretion of the Fine Arts Boosters Scholarship Committee.

ICONIC LEGACY DANCE SCHOLARSHIP - Due March 31, 2026

The ICONIC Legacy Scholarship was established in 2022 by the Wastyn Family. To honor the senior dancers in the class of 2020, the ICONIC Legacy Scholarship is committed to helping the next dancer in line. The Scholarship supports Maine West dancers (in West Side Dance or Warriorettes) who will be going to a 2- or 4-year college or trade program, and who embodies the spirit that life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It is about learning to dance in the rain!

The fourth annual Scholarship application will be open until 3/31/26. 

Here are some requirements for the scholarship:

1. Open to graduating West Side Dance Company members and Warriorettes.  

2. The requirement of having to be 4th year is removed. 

3. The dance video submission has to be an original work choreo and danced by the applicant

4. Two photos must also be upload (1-dance shot and 1-headshot)

5. Please note the enhanced instructions provided for essay.

Application Link:  https://apply.mykaleidoscope.com/program/2026IconicLegacy 

Questions? Please contact IconicLegacyScholarship@gmail.com 

INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN SCHOLARSHIPS - Open February 1, 2026

The Educational Theatre Foundation, an organization related to the International Thespian Organization, of which many Maine West Drama students are members, sponsors a number of drama-related scholarships each year. For information about the scholarships offered by this organization this year, please go to: https://foundation.schooltheatre.org/scholarships/ 

SPEECH SCHOLARSHIPS - Various Deadlines

There are a number of speech-specific scholarship offered by colleges and universities around the country. If you are a senior Speech Team member, please see THIS LIST curated by the National Speech and Debate Association for speech scholarships!

Dimensions: Celebrate! Music Concert #207Now @mainewestfab

 

This year’s Dimensions Concert lit up the auditorium with joy and energy! Students from band, choir, and orchestra came together, creating a night filled with color, connection, and the pure fun of making music as a community.

The theme Celebrate came to life in every piece. Ensembles highlighted moments of triumph, gratitude, and shared experience, reminding everyone why the arts matter so much in our school. From start to finish, the concert felt like a joyful look at everything our students have worked toward this year—performing together, supporting one another, and sharing music that means something to them.

Congratulations to all of the student musicians and their directors - Mr. Bernie Gerstmayr, Ms. Stefanie Herrera and Ms. Daniella Valdez - on a fantastic performance!

Many more pictures from tonight's concert may be found HERE.

The concert program may be found HERE. 

Thank you to WMTH and Ms. Rebecca Fisher for video recording tonight's concert. Enjoy their production below:

Thank you to the Maine West Fine Arts Boosters for supporting - both financially and through volunteer efforts - a pizza dinner that was served to all student participants - on stage and behind the scenes!

National Art Honor Society Students Create Nutcracker for Rosemont Nutcracker Wonderland #207Now #art @mainewestart @lahartanddesign2 @mainewestfab

 

Maine West's National Art Honor Society chapter took part in this year's 2025 Rosemont Nutcracker Wonderland which partners with Operation North Pole, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting seriously and terminally ill children and their families during the holiday season. 

The nutcrackers will be displayed December 15-January 4th at the Donald E. Stephen’s Convention Center. 

This year each nutcracker was designed and painted by 17 different local high school art programs mentored by their teachers and professional artists. Our Maine West students, mentored by Mrs. Kljajic and Mr. Benitez, designed and painted a Neapolitan ice cream themed nutcracker for Maine West's submission. 

Dimensions: Celebrate! Public Art Reception & NAHS Induction Ceremony #207Now #art #reception @mainewestart @lahartanddesign2 @mainewestfab

Every year, our Dimensions Art Exhibit shines a light on the creativity and dedication of all of our student artists. This year’s theme, Celebrate, invites everyone to pause and recognize the moments, people, and ideas that bring joy to our school community.

Walking through the exhibit, you’ll see students lift up the everyday wins, honor meaningful relationships, and highlight the world around them in bold and personal ways. Each piece shows their growing skills and their willingness to take risks, try new approaches, and raise the bar for what’s possible in the visual arts.

Thank you to the many family members, friends and fans who came out tonight for the public reception to help celebrate the achievements of these visual art students!

The exhibit is open to all, and can be viewed in the upper commons through December 18th.

In addition to the reception tonight, we also celebrated new members of the National Art Honor Society being inducted. Congratulations to all of the new members of this leadership group!

Thank you to the Maine West Fine Arts Boosters for generously sponsoring the baked goods and drinks for tonight's reception. 

More pictures of students and their artwork can be found HERE.

West's Cris Lawpattanapong Earns All-State Music Honors! #207Now #excellence #ILMEA @mainewestchoir @mainewestfab

 
We recently learned that Maine West singer, Cristopher Lawpattanapong, has earned All-State Honors! He will be representing Maine West at the state-level event called the Illinois Music Education Conference (IMEC), which will be held in the Civic Center in Peoria, Illinois January 28th-31st, 2026. 

Cris will perform as a bass I singer with the All-State Honors Chorus, the state's highest performing vocal ensemble. Earning a placement in the IMEC All-State conference distinguishes Cris as one of the best music students in the state of Illinois, and is a testament to years of hard work and dedication as a  musician. The entire Maine West community is incredibly proud of Cris!