Joliet Central High School sophomore Mia Cardenas is the 2024 Illinois Art Education Association Youth Art Month Winner in the High School Category.

The Council for Art Education (CFAE) administers Youth Art Month at the national level. Festivities take place annually, traditionally culminating each March, to celebrate visual arts for grades K – 12. The Youth Art Month Program emphasizes the value of art education for all children, encourages support for quality school art programs, and promotes art material safety. Youth Art Month also provides a forum for recognizing skills developed through visual arts experiences that are not possible in other curriculum subjects.

This year’s Council for Art Educator’s theme was “Art in a Dream.”  Mia’s drawing, “Aventuras de Ensueno: Dream Adventures,” is featured in the 2024 poster, which will be widely circulated across Illinois.  

Mia is Nyssa Grzyb’s Intro to Studio Art class.

“I am so honored my artwork was chosen for the Youth Art Month IAEA contest!  I love Art class because Mrs. Grzyb makes learning so fun and interesting,” said Mia.  “I get to use my creativity every day, and I learn new techniques to help improve my abilities.”