Proposed and launched by Adam and J. Kiku Langford in 2008, and then carried on by Adam and Margaret Jacobs through 2016, AVA Gallery and Art Center’s annual Best of the Upper Valley High School Exhibition is an essential part of the arts culture in our region of Vermont and New Hampshire.

The exhibition invites 30 public, private, and vocational high schools to nominate students from their programs to be honored in multiple creative disciplines, including drawing, painting, photography, digital art, sculpture, and ceramics. For many students, it’s the first time their work has been shown in a professional gallery space, creating unforgettable life experiences that inspire careers in the arts. The opening reception and award ceremony is always great fun, with multiple generations of families celebrating their teen’s art achievements with pizza and candy instead of cheese and crackers.

The program is made possible through annual partnerships with eight local business sponsors, donations from all the pizza restaurants in the area, live music, as well as the Vermont Institute of Natural Science, which gives an additional award for Best Environmental Art. Award winners receive medals made and donated by the incredible Paulette Werger.

It’s the best.