By Dorie Spangler | COCA Arts Education Coordinator/Public Art Assistant
The youth of Tallahassee are not just the future of art; they are making waves right now. In a stunning display of creativity and craft, COCA’s annual Winter Fest Exhibition had its opening reception on December 5, 2025. Local youth artists and musicians, along with their teachers and families, descended upon City Hall to celebrate a range of achievements. Decorated with art pieces large and small—colorful and thought-provoking—ranging from drawings and paintings to sculpture and fiber arts, both floors of the lobby beamed with the creative expressions of a new generation.
“The Winterfest Student Art Reception in December was a feast for the senses!” says Margie Grussing, K-5 Art Teacher at Astoria Park Elementary School and LCS Elementary Art Teachers’ Coordinator. “Incredible students’ art adorned the walls. Lots of hugs and photos were taken by teachers, student artists, families, and friends.”
Every year, COCA’s Winter Fest invites Leon County K-12 art teachers from public, private, and charter schools to submit two art pieces made by their students. As far back as 2001, this event has offered a public venue for students to display their hard work and vision. This year, thirty-three schools participated, with a total of sixty-six art pieces. The chance to exhibit original art and compete for one of the event’s prestigious awards is a special opportunity cherished by local youth artists and teachers.
Katie Aylward-Smith, Art Teacher and Arts Department Chair at Raa Middle School describes the event as “a fantastic opportunity to spotlight young artists and bring schools, families, and the community together in a collaborative celebration.”
The opening reception kicked off with a performance by the Desoto Trail Concert Chorus, led by choir director Randy Baez. The group sang a wide variety of holiday songs, accompanying their tunes with crisp choreography. The elementary schoolers dazzled in their Santa hats, to the delight of their families and friends in the audience. Next, Tallahassee Collegiate Academy’s band ensemble FLIGHT took to the stage, performing “Valerie” by Amy Winehouse and other popular songs. With vocals, guitar, bass, keyboard, drums and trumpet, the ensemble, led by music teacher PJ Perez, delivered a polished and powerful sound.
Downstairs, an audience of parents, teachers, and peers gathered beside the vibrantly- decorated tree and bright menorah to watch the RAA Middle School Guitar and String ensembles showcase their musical mastery. Both the guitar group led by Joshua Lessard, and the orchestra, led by Megan Sahely, brought elegance and cheer to the evening with concert arrangements of holiday classics. Finally, high school piano soloist Jace Orcutt of Tallahassee Collegiate Academy graced the second floor with a number of classical compositions as crowds perused the far halls and corners of the art exhibit. Performers of all ages were represented in the musical portion of the night, and the revolving cast of talented musicians ensured a festive and lively atmosphere.
“In my 3 years of helping host the exhibition, I would say this year felt special in a number of ways,” COCA’s Art and Exhibitions Manager Sam Joslin Mueller explains. “We saw more engagement from the community, and there was just an overarching feeling of creativity and gratitude in the air.”
At 7PM, the greatly-anticipated awards ceremony began. Highlighting the talent and dedication of K-12 visual artists, Sam Joslin Mueller and Arts Education Coordinator and Public Art Assistant Dorie Spangler, announced winners in a variety of categories, chosen by this year’s juror Gabrielle Simpson, the director of Tallahassee’s beloved 621 Gallery.
Among the entries for Winter Fest 2025 were collages, oil paintings, photographs, mixed media creations, cardboard sculptures, colored pencil pieces, watercolors, acrylics, and ceramics. The various artworks depicted a vast range of subjects ranging from animals, plants and character portraits to landscapes, abstract imaginings and fantastical worlds. Each presenter emphasized that every participant should feel proud of their accomplishments and, despite the special recognition of a few award winners, that every student whose art hung on the walls of the gallery that evening was a winner in their own right.
The Outstanding Achievement in Elementary awards were presented to JaAliyah White for “Fish at Night,” taught by Emily Westfall-Crouch at Kate Sullivan Elementary; Kashif Bowman for “Bad Guy,” taught by Samantha Hinchliffe at Sealey Elementary School; and JD Dortch for “Chip the Dog,” taught by Cathy Hicks at Maclay School.
In the Middle and High School categories, Honorable Mentions were awarded to Blake Burns for “Misunderstood,” taught by Katharyn Jones at Florida State University Schools; Maleah Renfroe for “Untitled,” taught by Rosa Cefalu at SAIL High School; and Sarah Satterfield for “Man vs. Nature,” taught by Sarah Raulerson at Leon High School.
In the Middle School category, first place was awarded to Veralia Sider for “Nostalgic Disney,” taught by Robert Yorke at Tallahassee Classical School. Second place went to Aaliyah Jimenez for “Be Careful What You Wish For,” taught by Katie Aylward-Smith at RAA Middle School. Third place was awarded to Zayla Pompey for “Happiness,” taught by Jasmine Boothe at The School of Arts and Sciences at the Centre.
The High School awards recognized Emmalin Starnes with first place for “Chinese American,” taught by Sarah Raulerson at Leon High School. Second place was awarded to Antonia Nowels for “The Pause Between Breaths,” taught by Kaitlyn Dressel at Maclay School. Third place went to Arya Patel for “Mirror, Mirror on the Wall,” taught by Barbara Davis at Florida State University Schools.
The Amanda’s Choice Award, presented by former COCA assistant director Amanda Karioth Thompson, was awarded to Laila Alexander of Lawton Chiles High School, taught by Jason Glisson, for her oil painting “Mirror.” This colorful piece featured a lush dual portraiture of a young woman adorned with flowers, evoking serenity and joy. Thompson commended the piece’s craft and emotional depth.
As Mayor John Dailey took the stage to announce the esteemed Mayor’s Choice Award, he made sure to note how important Winter Fest is to the community, both in its recognition of youth art and as the annual kickoff to citywide holiday festivities. With a big smile and a warm handshake, he presented his award to Maelei Chavez of Florida State University Schools, taught by Katharyn Jones, for her pastel painting “Currents Over Current.” The piece portrays two butterflies delicately traversing a scene of deep blue and gentle plant life, with sunlight shining down from the top right corner of the frame. Mayor Dailey explained that he chose the artwork for its calming effect on the viewer.
Montford Middle School Art Teacher Dr. Donald E. Sheppard describes Winter Fest as “a ‘win-win’ for all. He goes on to say that “students are ecstatic about representing their schools. Not only do students benefit, but administrators, educators, parents, city officials, and the entire community win the opportunity to celebrate the arts.”
The evening concluded with a final recognition of gratitude to all who made the event possible, including the City of Tallahassee for their support and exhibition space, the parents and guardians for all their hard work behind the scenes, and the student artists and musicians for sharing their time and talent. The participating art teachers were spotlighted for both putting in the hours to facilitate their students’ entries, and also for nurturing their students’ creativity and granting them tools to improve their crafts.
“The students we teach have something to say about their world and it is up to us to give them the techniques and processes in which to communicate,” says Julie Childers, Art Teacher at Tallahassee Classical School. “The support we get from COCA and our administrations is wonderful. They recognize the importance of the arts that cannot be overstated.”
The future is bright for the young artists of Tallahassee, with another successful Winter Fest opening reception as a testament to what lies ahead.
The current Winter Fest exhibit will run through February 9, 2026. COCA encourages all to stop by City Hall to view the incredible artwork on display. For more information about Winter Fest, visit our website https://tallahasseearts.org/, or contact Dorie Spangler at Dorie@tallahasseearts.org.
English
English
French
German
Italian
Spanish
