LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) – Local high school students are showing off their artistic abilities through an exhibit at the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette. For the next two weeks, the exhibit will be open for the public to explore.

The high school exhibit is usually only displayed in one of the museum’s galleries. This year, they’ve expanded to two. The exhibit went virtual during the pandemic, but now, the in-person version is back up and running.

This exhibit has been an annual tradition at the museum for nearly 20 years. It normally features close to 130 pieces of artwork. This time, the jurors who judge the art decided to display all 183 pieces they received.

The showcase features student creations from eight local high schools. There are multiple categories of artwork on display, including photography, painting and even jewelry.

Museum curator Andrea Klutzke says this exhibit is a great way for the community to connect with the next generation of artists.

“I believe it’s important for people to come and see where the future of art is going,” Klutzke said. “You can see that through the artwork of all of these students. There’s so much talent from all of these students’ work. It’s just so wonderful to see.”

One of those young artists is Harrison senior Matt Pekarek. He won first place in ceramics for his wall hanging crafted out of paper clay. Pekarek credits many of his mentors for helping him find his passion, including Diana May, who runs Muddog Pottery in Battle Ground.

Pekarek says he made this piece in May’s studio. At first, he was surprised to find out he received top honors in his category, along with the Art League award and the Artists’ Own award.

"I did not expect the result that I did receive,” Pekarek said. “That was actually very thrilling."

Pekarek plans to major in architecture in college, with a possible additional major or minor in studio art as well.

Benton Central senior Alexandra Honicutt received the Museum Curator’s award for her painting. She’s been making art her whole life, but larger pieces like this one are new to her. She will continue her passion for art in college, receiving a substantial scholarship to attend the School of the Art Institute of Chicago this fall.

“I do think that I will be doing art for probably the rest of my life,” Honicutt said. “It's definitely the most expressive thing that I can probably do as a person."

Lafayette Jeff senior Mouhammed Mbalakolele also enjoys expressing himself through his art. He received first-place recognition for his oil painting of one of his high school art teachers, Steve Marin.

Mbalakolele is a refugee from Africa, and Lafayette Jeff art teacher Mara Battiste says Marin has made a big impact on his life since coming to the United States.

“Being in his class meant a lot to him,” Battiste said. “Coming here and getting comfortable and learning how to speak English and being able to do something he enjoyed doing."

Mbalakolele wants to attend Ivy Tech Community College for computer science and art history. After that, he has his sights set on Purdue University to pursue art further.

This year’s high school art exhibit will be on display at the museum on South 10th Street until April 17. The museum is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

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