Local art leaders held adjudication for the 2023 Northeast Florida Scholastic Art Awards on Saturday, January 7, during which they reviewed almost 3,000 student art entries in 16 visual art categories. The results are another big win for Bolles Fine Arts – 68 Bolles visual arts students won a total of 145 awards in the prestigious annual competition, including an impressive 51 Gold Key-winning works (including eight portfolio winners), 44 Silver Key-winning works and 50 Honorable Mention-winning works.

The following Bolles seniors were portfolio winners:

• Ashvatha Arun ’23, Gold Key, Art Portfolio
• Michael Burgstiner ’23, Honorable Mention, Art Portfolio
• Alida Cucoranu ’23, Honorable Mention, Art Portfolio
• Lars Jendruschewitz ’23, Gold Key, Art Portfolio #1
• Lars Jendruschewitz ’23, Gold Key, Art Portfolio #2
• Riddhima Puri ’23, Honorable Mention, Art Portfolio
• Tucker Sharp ’23, Gold Key, Art Portfolio
• El Walton ’23, Silver Key, Art Portfolio

These results are among the highest and most extensive in School history, continuing the art department’s strong trend of sustained excellence. According to Bolles Fine and Performing Arts Director Laura Rippel, all Bolles upper school visual arts teachers -- and English teachers Anna Jacobson and Steven Stam -- had Scholastic award-winning students in this year's lineup. Works from two Bolles middle school students – Kate Curran ’27 and Ella Vance ’27 – were also recognized in this year’s Scholastic competition. Award-winning writers will be announced in March.

Northeast Florida Scholastic Art Awards Chair Deborah Canoura said the judges were truly energized and inspired by the submissions. The contest is sponsored by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers and the Northeast Florida Art Education Association.

The group will honor students during an Awards Ceremony at the Florida Theatre on February 11. The ceremony will be followed by an Award Exhibition at the Jacksonville Main Library, where Gold Key-winning works will be on display. Pieces by Silver Key and Honorable Mention artists will be displayed in a digital gallery. Gold Key Portfolio works will be featured at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA Jax).

Gold Key winners’ works will go on to compete at the national level. National medal award winners will be announced in mid-March. 

The 2023 Northeast Florida Scholastic Art Awards winners, including their categories, mediums, awards and teachers are: