2025 comic art workshop with the artists of 80% Studios, creators of the Chickaloonies
Kayla Swazer's pin design, which won the 2026 Alaska SkillsUSA competition
ASD student art display in the Education Center
2026 Senior Showcase students
Kendall Bencid's painting from the 2026 Tsunami Bowl One Ocean Art Show, which was awarded the People's Choice Award
Fall 2024 Fine Arts Assembly
Riley Hodes's drawing of Bela Ya'ari Hazan, which was named an ARTEFFECT 2026 Finalist
Annual Events
Art in the Education Center
Ms. Spyker had student artwork on display at the Education Center October 10 - November 3, 2025. It was then on display at the MK Denkewalter gallery in 5th Avenue Mall until November 28.
Ms. Henry had student artwork on display at the Education Center February 9 - April 10. Stay tuned for more information about the 2026-27 school year displays.
Fine Arts Assembly
The Fine Arts Assembly is an annual event at West. Students in the visual arts join band, choir, dance, DDF (Debate, Drama, & Forensics), orchestra, and theatre students to share their creative pursuits with the student body during a school-wide assembly. This year’s Fine Arts Assembly was held November 7, 2025.
Youth Art Month
Every year in March Anchorage School District displays artwork throughout the district in celebration of Youth Art Month. Anchorage Museum, Loussac Library, Muldoon Library, and Eagle River are just a few of the locations that display art each year.
Senior Showcase
Senior students with significant involvement in the arts are recognized both through an in-house display at West and through graduation cords and pins.
IB Senior Show
Eight IB senior students presented their senior exhibition to the public April 1-7, 2025 in the West/Romig Library.
Awards
NFHS Performing Arts School of Excellence
Honored for their exemplary commitment to performing arts programs, NFHS Performing Arts Schools of Excellence are chosen in connection with National High School Activities Month in October. The initiative serves to remind students, parents, coaches, administrators, and others in communities across the country about the values and benefits of high school activity programs. West became the seventh school to receive this national-level award when they were recognized as the 2022 NFHS Performing Arts School of Excellence.
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
West students participate in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards each year. Students have been recognized at both the state and national levels for their work. More information is available at artandwriting.org, and the 24-25 school year winners can be viewed below.
All-State Art Awards
Each teacher selects students to represent West in the All-State competition each spring. Our winners are below, and more award-winning artwork can be viewed on the All-State Website: www.artalaska.org.
For the 2026 competition sophomore Athena Vallada was awarded both first place in the Communication Art & Graphic Design category and Best in Show. Her piece, titled 500 miles, is below.
Cogratulations to our 2026 Scholastic Art Award winners!
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Cockadoodledoo
Kendall Bencid, Honorable Mention
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Deep End
Cheyenne Brindac, Silver Key
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The Past is Bright
Yedidia Diboue, Silver Key
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Black and White Thinking Equals Half the Story
Yedidia Diboue, Honorable Mention
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Exuvia
Zeighlah Gunther-Cowles, Honorable Mention
*This image contains nudity.
You can view the original here.
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Impetus
Zeighlah Gunther-Cowles, Honorable Mention
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Pachycepha
Alexander Judge, Gold Key
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Amisiimaq
Miley Kakaruk, Gold Key
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Chronic
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Finale
Lily Ostman, Honorable Mention
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Temperament
Tor Redden, Gold Key
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Apotheosis of Tea
Hazel Swift, Silver Key
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Under the Sea
Hazel Swift, Honorable Mention
Cogratulations to our 2025 All State Art winners!
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500 Miles
Athena Vallada, Best in Show & Communication Art & Graphic Design First Place
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Temperate Glacier
Kristine Laxa, Photography Second Place
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Impetus
Zeighlah Gunther-Cowles, Drawing Second Place
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Beneath the Stillness
Alannah King, Sculpture First Place
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Generational Links
Miley Kakaruk, Multicultural Art First Place
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Our Field
Claire Jong, Painting Honorable Mention
Upcoming Opportunities
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Summer Happenings & Competitions
Check our Instagram page highlights for the most up to date summer opportunities and community competitions.
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Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have been recognizing young artists throughout the US for over 100 years.
December 2026
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ARTEFFECT
ARTEFFECT is an annual competition sponsored by the Lowell Milken Center. The next deadline will be in the spring of 2027.
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Tsunami Bowl Once Ocean Art Show
The Alaska SeaLife Center hosts the Tsunami Bowl One Ocean Art Show each spring.