(Above: Eugene Mayor Kaarin Knudson chose Spring Awakening by Kamilah Voots as the Mayor’s Choice Award in the annual Mayor’s Teen Art Show.)

Edited by Randi Bjornstad

The annual Mayor’s Teen Art Show is on display through Oct. 2, 2026, at the Maude Kerns Art Center, and the winners of various awards — including the Mayor’s Choice Award — have been announced.

That top prize, selected by Eugene Mayor Kaarin Knudson, goes to an acrylic-on-canvas work titled Spring Awakening, created by Kamilah Voots, a 17-year-old homeschool student.

This year’s entries include works by 38 young artists. Awards in the various categories ranged from cash prizes to gift certificates to the Eugene nonprofit MECCA (Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts) to complimentary membership to the Maude Kerns Art Center.

Here’s a list of the top three winners:

  • Mayor’s Choice Award: Spring Awakening by Kamilah Voots (homeschool, age 17), acrylic on canvas
  • Best in Show: Twin Flame by Alexandra Sielicki, (University of Oregon, age 18), graphite and colored pencil
  • Maude Kerns Art Center Choice Award: Passion Pod by Malena Villegas-Moore, (Churchill High School, age 17), ink

Each of the juror’s who selected the art to be included in the show also chose a personal favorite, won by the following young artists:

  • Juror’s Choice: Organics by Evan Danger Hurt (Churchill High, age 16), papier mâché, acrylic, and tempera
  • Juror’s Choice: Beware of the Chickens by Anna Schwabl (Madison Middle School, age 14), colored pencil, white pen, and marker
  • Juror’s Choice: Ocarina Organ by Juniper Bell Delahanty, (Sheldon High
    School, age 16), ceramic

Artwork by the top three winners will be exhibited as part of the city of Eugene Mayor’s Art Show to be displayed at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts from Jan. 11 to Feb. 26, 2027.

Eugene Mayor’s Teen Art Show

When: Through Oct. 2, 2026

Where: Maude Kerns Art Center, 1910 E. 15th Ave., Eugene (corner of 15th and Villard streets

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. when exhibits are on display

Information: 541-345-1571 or mkartcenter.org