Watershed is thrilled to share some exciting news from our art program! Two of our students have earned prestigious recognition in the Colorado Scholastic Art Awards, a regional competition of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the nation’s longest-running and most distinguished program honoring creative achievement in teens. Our art educator, Chris, shared the announcement with the Watershed community, and we couldn’t be prouder of the talent, dedication, and vision our students have demonstrated.
Calvin ’26: Gold Key Winner for Best Portfolio
Calvin earned a Gold Key Award in a newly introduced category: Best Portfolio. This is a remarkable achievement, recognizing not just a single artwork but a cohesive body of work developed over time.
Calvin spent months producing six powerful, show-stopping pieces that together form his portfolio titled “The Burden of a Man Imagined.” For the portfolio submission, he selected “Shell,” a striking self-portrait rendered in charcoal (pictured left), which anchors the collection with emotional depth and technical skill. Calvin completed this work in Chris’s fall semester drawing course.
The remaining works in the portfolio (pictured below)—most earning individual recognition—include:
“Pit Stop” (Gold)
“I’ll Fly Away” (Gold)
“Communion” (Gold)
“Witching Hour” (Silver)
“The Closing”
Because Calvin earned a Gold Key Award, his work will automatically advance to national adjudication, where it will be considered for Gold Medal, Silver Medal, and scholarship awards. National Medalists are announced each spring, and scholarship opportunities can reach up to $12,500.
Josie ’27: Fashion and Fine Art Recognition
Josie also had an outstanding showing, earning three awards across multiple categories. Her work reflects both creativity and innovation, particularly in the fashion category.
Her awards include:
“Blue Tarp Dress” (Gold, Fashion) [pictured left]
“Book Cover Dress” (Silver, Fashion)
“Karl’s Raccoon” (Honorable Mention, Painting)
“Karl’s Raccoon”
In addition to these honors, “Karl’s Raccoon” is being featured digitally at the Denver Art Museum, an incredible opportunity for a young artist. Josie’s fashion designs were also showcased in Trash the Runway 2025, further highlighting her growing presence in the creative community.
“Book Cover Dress”
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is the nation’s most prestigious recognition program for creative teens in grades 7–12. Students can submit work across 29 categories, and entries are judged by distinguished leaders in the visual and literary arts.
Award recipients gain opportunities for public exhibitions, ceremonies, and publications, and national medalists may qualify for significant scholarship support. Each year, the program celebrates young artists whose voices and visions are shaping the future of creative expression.
We are incredibly proud of Calvin and Josie for their hard work, imagination, and commitment to their craft. Their achievements reflect not only their individual talent but the strength of our creative community as a whole. We can’t wait to see where these opportunities take them next!
