Jenny Valenzuela, a local art teacher and judge, is excited to offer students in grades 6-12 a chance to show off their creativity at the Art by the River festival in Star, Idaho, this September. The festival celebrates art with a focus on 2-D and 3-D artwork, plus photography, and offers scholarships ranging from $50 to $150 for the best entries in each age group.

“I’ve always believed that art is a way for students to express themselves and connect with the community,” says Valenzuela, who has been involved with art education for years. “This festival is a great way to recognize the hard work of young artists and give them a chance to earn scholarships for their talent.”

The Art by the River festival is more than just a fun event for the community, it’s a celebration of art and youth creativity. Valenzuela, who helps organize the festival, says it’s important to include all local students, no matter what type of school they attend. “This event is for everyone, whether you go to public school, private school, or are homeschooled,” she says. “It’s all about giving students a place to show their work and get the recognition they deserve.”

This year, the festival is putting a big focus on youth art by dedicating a portion of the budget to rewarding local students. Scholarships from $50 to $150 will be awarded to top entries in each age group.

“I think this is a great opportunity for students to gain confidence and be recognized for their hard work,” says Valenzuela. “When students put their effort into something creative, it’s important that they feel proud of what they’ve made, and this event does just that.”

Jayce Taylor, a ninth grader states, “I’m really excited for people to have the chance to show their work at Art by the River. It feels good knowing that people in the community will see what they’ve created, and the scholarships are a huge bonus! I’ve seen people been working on some new pieces, and I can’t wait for them to share them.”

Ryan Wise, an art teacher noted: “The Art by the River event is a wonderful opportunity for our local young artists to be seen and celebrated within the community. Too often, aspiring artists go unnoticed due to the limited number of events like this that showcase their work. I strongly encourage students to apply and take advantage of this opportunity.”

To participate, students need to email their artwork to [email protected] by August 15, 2026. Valenzuela encourages students from any local school, whether public, private, or homeschool, to take part in the festival. “Art is for everyone, and we want all students to feel welcomed,” she says.

Even people who don’t do art are excited for people in the show. Colden McCulloch, a tenth grader says, “It’s really cool for the people who win I guess. I mean, it’s kind of like a competition, which I really like, because I play rugby and love competitions. Also, it’s by the river which is cool.”

For more information about how to submit artwork and the contest rules, students and parents can check out the provided link. Valenzuela also invites everyone in the community to help spread the word and support local student artists.

https://forms.gle/G535HiTr16AgxtSQ6

“I’m really excited to see all the amazing art the students create this year,” says Valenzuela. “This event is not just about winning. It’s about showing the community what our young artists are capable of and helping them grow through their creative work.”