Region 15 (Middlebury/Southbury) schools are excited to partner with the Southbury Public Library and announce the return of the annual Youth Art Month exhibition to the walls of the Gloria Cachion Art Gallery at the Southbury Public Library.
Following a virtual presentation in 2025 due to the library’s extended closure from flood damage, the 2026 exhibit signals a triumphant homecoming for both the student artists and the community. The community is invited to view the work in person from Tuesday, March 3, 2026 through Monday, March 30, 2026. For those unable to visit the gallery, a sample of photos will be accessible online via the Southbury Public Library website at www.southburylibrary.org.
This year’s showcase features a curated selection of two-dimensional mixed media, paintings, photography, and drawings created by students from Kindergarten through 12th grade. The return to the physical gallery space allows the public to fully appreciate the texture, scale, and detail of the artwork, elements that are often difficult to capture in a virtual format.
Alisa Rosenberg, Photography Teacher at Pomperaug High School, notes that the collection highlights the school’s photographers’ sophisticated lens work. “It is incredible to see the mastery these students have developed, especially in capturing the world through photography,” she says. “Displaying their images in a public space rewards their dedication and showcases the creative depth of their education.”
Jeromy Nelson, Director of Fine, Applied, and Technical Ars in Region 15, expressed the district’s excitement about returning to the physical venue, “While we were grateful for the digital connection during the library’s restoration last year, there is no substitute for standing directly in front of a piece of art. This exhibition highlights the critical thinking and technical discipline fostered in our classrooms. We are incredibly proud to partner with the library once again to give these young artists the physical platform their talent deserves.”
About Youth Art Month
The displays coincide with Youth Art Month, a program administered nationally by the Council for Art Education (CFAE). The event emphasizes the value of art education for all students and provides a medium for recognizing skills developed through visual arts experiences. The 2026 exhibition stands as a testament to resilience, reuniting the Southbury Public Library and the Region 15 community in a shared celebration of the arts.
The exhibit will be open during regular library hours which are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30am to 5:30pm, Tuesday and Thursday 9:30am to 9:00pm, Saturdays 9:30am to 4:00pm and Sundays 12:00pm to 5:00pm. A sample of photos will be posted online in the virtual gallery.
Please visit us at www.southburylibrary.org to view a sample of photos virtually and for any updated hours and information. Or you may call us at 203-262-0626.
Region 15 Youth Art Month: https://www.southburylibrary.org/using-the-library/spaces/art-gallery
The full gallery: https://www.southburylibrary.org/gallery
by Michale A. Grade 9
by Paige Y. Grade 10
by Camille C. Grade 11
by Emilia C. Grade 12