Winners: Art on the Square High School Competition

More than 240 pieces of student art work displayed in the lobby of the Mathis, Mariffian and Richter building as part of the Art on the Square High School Art Competition.

Nearly $7,000 in prizes were awarded. They were funded by Illinois American Water, Gateway Artist Guild, Delta Kappa Gamma Society, St. Clair Historical Society and Minds Eye Radio. Five additional awards are sponsored by: Jeanne Aguirre, George Gasparich, the Jane Pusa family and former Belleville West High School Art teacher and founding father of the show Bill Evans and family.

Winners were announced at the end of the three-day art fair in downtown Belleville at the Lincoln Theater. “Blue Notes, Black Stories,” a charcoal sketch by Callia Smith of Centralia High School, won multiple awards including “Best of Show.” Naomi Ruiz of Belleville West won the People’s Choice Award for “Indoraptor.”

Here’s a list of all the award winners:

Best in Show: “Blue Notes, Black Stories” by Callia Smith, Centralia High School

Award of Excellence: “Davis” by Steven Shaffer, Belleville West

Award of Excellence: “Making the Change,” graphite by Morgan Seagle, Belleville West

Award of Excellence: “Because of the Internet,” painting by Noah Rios, Belleville West

Award of Excellence: “Okee Bokeh,” photography by Amiya Williams, Belleville West

Award of Merit: “Modern Mona Lisa” by Terra Free, Centralia High School

Award of Merit: “Whisper of the Crystal Orb,” photography by Alexes Grant, Marion High School

Award of Merit: “Fishing Trip,” painting by Zoe Powers, Belleville West

Award of Merit: “Camryn,” painting by Kayleigh Rosnick, Triad High School

Award of Merit: “Pruning,” charcoal by Meadow Grandame, O’Fallon High School

Award of Merit: “Innocence,” charcoal by Elcie Cullip, Centralia High School

Award of Merit: “Teapot: by Saddie Kaiser-Smith, Gibault Catholic HS

Award of Merit: “Bodhi,” photography by Aubrie Brooks, Mascoutah High School

AOTS Commitee Choice Award: “House,” painting by MacKenzie Hoover, Triad High School

AOTS Commitee Choice Award: “Janus,” painting by Jamie Iacona, O’Fallon High School

AOTS Commitee Choice Award: “Before Bruce,” charcoal by Sophia Jose, Althoff Catholic

AOTS Commitee Choice Award: “Fishing Trip,” painting by Zoe Powers, Belleville West

People’s Choice Award: “Indoraptor,” mixed media by Naomi Ruiz, Belleville West

Artist’s Choice: “Blue Notes, Black Stories,” charcoal by Callia Smith, Centralia High School

Artist’s Choice: “Making the Change,” graphite by Morgan Seagle, Belleville West

Artist’s Choice: “Because of the Internet,” painting by Noah Rios, Belleville West

Artist’s Choice: “Sunday Best,” mixed media by Ramiya Flowler, Belleville East

Artist’s Choice: “Underwater Echoes” by Chelsea Meise, Columbia High School

Artist’s Choice: “Ache of Eternity,” charcoal by Tommy Farmer, Centralia High School

Artist’s Choice: “Fishing Trip,” painting by Zoe Powers, Belleville West

Artist’s Choice: “Modern Mona Lisa” by Terra Free, Centralia High School

Artist’s Choice: “Pride,” cereamics by Adria Watson, O’Fallon High School

Artist’s Choice: “Cheese,” charcoal by Addison Chor, O’Fallon High School

William Evans Memorial Award: “Underwater Echoes” by Chelsea Meise, Columbia High School

William Evans Memorial Award: “Fishing Trip,” painting by Zoe Powers, Belleville West

Sponsored Awards

Belleville Mayor’s Choice Award: “Silent Nostalgia,” painting by Kaelee LePeire, Triad High School

Illinois American Water Award: “Shattering the Pink Wall,” pastel by AK Kesler, Mascoutah High School

Illinois American Water Award: “In Good Company,” painting by Lauren Daughtery, Central High School

Illinois American Water Award: “Crush Swimming Alone,” ceramic by Garrett Casteel, School for the Blind

Delta Kappa Gamma Society: “Silent Nostalgia,” pastel by Kaelee LePeire, Triad High School

Gateway Artists Guild: “Fishing Trip,” painting by Zoe Powers, Belleville West

George Gasparich Creamic Award: “Teapot: by Saddie Kaiser-Smith, Gibault Catholic HS

St. Clair County Historical Society Award: “Attic,” colored pencil by Luca Cox, Mascoutah High School

Jeanne Aguirre Portraiture Award: “Blue Notes, Black Stories,” charcoal by Callia Smith, Centralia High School

Jeanne Aguirre A Touch of Whimsy Award: “Underwater Echoes,” painting by Chelsea Meise, Columbia High School

Jane & David Pusa Memorial Award: Untitled stoneware by Anna Rodriguez, Althoff Catholic

Jane & David Pusa Memorial Award: “Before Bruce,” charcoal by Sophia Jose, Althoff Catholic

MindsEye Award: “My Comfort Zone,” mixed media by Bailey Schafer, Marion High School

This story was originally published May 19, 2026 at 10:32 AM.