High school students from across western Canada showcased their artistic skills in AUArts’ annual ShowOff! Competition. Alberta University of the Arts welcomed submissions from emerging artists from across Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan for this year’s ShowOff! High School Art & Design Competition and Exhibition, a 20+ year initiative that celebrates the next generation of artists, designers and craftspeople.
This year’s competition saw 288 submissions, with 76 finalists selected to exhibit their work online. With $10,000 in prizes awarded across 10 categories, ShowOff! provides a platform for young creatives to explore their potential, gain recognition and imagine their future in art, craft and design.
2026 award winners
This year’s winners represent a diverse range of artistic approaches, mediums and perspectives:
- Best in Show (picture shown)
Lamias Sharshar, “Dream job?” — Lester B Pearson High School, AB
- Awards of Distinction
Rhiannon Deluca, “Dancing” — École Olds High School, AB
Annastasya Wilke, “Wide Open” — Magee Secondary School, BC
- Lodgepole Centre Awards
Amora Cardinal — Strathcona Composite High School, AB
Tekla Rachmielowski, “Still, It Passed” — Strathcona Composite High School, AB
- Awards of Excellence
River Barton, “Connected in 10,000 Lines” — Central Memorial High School, AB
Grace Deng, “Stress” — Regina Christian School, SK
- Awards of Merit
Manar Adetunji, “More Alike Than Different” — Lillian Osborne High School, AB
Jade Caddel, “Self-Portrait” — Cochrane High School, AB
Kelly Chan, “Amphibian High-Style: A Frog in a Heel” — Little Flower Academy, BC
Building pathways to creative futures
For many participants, ShowOff! is the first step toward pursuing post-secondary art education and future careers in the arts and acts as an introduction to AUArts as a place where their creativity can thrive.
Looking ahead
As AUArts marks 100 years of art, craft and design education, initiatives like ShowOff! continue to play an important role in building connections that begin in high school classrooms and extend into creative communities across the region.
ShowOff! illustrates the depth of talent among young artists across Canada, who are ready to shape creative culture with their bold voices, fresh perspectives and new ideas.