Visual Arts

Congratulations to Henry Klinar, who has been awarded both a National American Vision Award and a Gold Key for his painting Persona in the 2026 National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. You may remember reading about Henry’s earlier success this year at the regional level.

Selected from among more than 335,000 submissions, Henry’s work was recognized by leading figures in the visual arts for its outstanding originality, technical skill, and strong personal vision. His work will also be published in the online gallery at artandwriting.org, and his name will be listed in Yearbook 2026, a companion to the annual art anthologies featuring selections of works by National Medalists.

This fall, Henry will attend Kent State University, where he plans to study Art Education. We are incredibly proud of his achievements and celebrate this outstanding accomplishment.
 

Persona

Congratulations to Ryan Landucci, Marina Horgan, Lucca Simms, Dayton Dille and Emily Elliott for having their artwork featured in this year’s Youth Art Month (YAM) Juried Exhibition!

We are especially proud to share that two students from our district received special recognition: Lucca Simms earned the High School Division Award, and Emily Elliott received the Region 1 Award.

Congratulations to these outstanding artists on their incredible achievements!

The 2026 YAM Exhibit can be viewed here. 

Artwork by: Emily Elliott, Grade 12, Title of Artwork; Like Mother Like Son

The National Art Honor Society recently concluded its third and final intergenerational art session with seniors from the Canonsburg Senior Center. With the support of club members, participants recreated simplified versions of iconic artworks depicting love throughout art history in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Seniors selected the piece they felt most connected to, fostering personal expression and thoughtful reflection.

The activity made the creative process both accessible and enjoyable while sparking meaningful conversations and strengthening connections across generations.

Heartfelt Art Photos

Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

Metamorphosis: A Life in Stages was a vibrant collaborative mural project that brought together National Art Honor Society students and members of the local senior community. As a continuation of their earlier mixed-media storytelling workshop, the session began with a meaningful moment: the students presented the seniors with the completed storybooks they had created from the personal narratives shared during the previous gathering. The seniors were touched to see their memories brought to life through illustration and collage, and the exchange set a warm, reflective tone for the new project ahead.

Building upon that connection, the intergenerational mural explored the human journey through childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and elderhood. The final installation consisted of four canvases displayed side by side, each representing a distinct stage of life.
Rather than assigning the artwork to individuals, each canvas was entrusted to a small, mixed-age team who worked together to sketch, paint, and share stories. This approach ensured that the imagery on every panel reflected a blend of youthful perspective, lived experience, and collective imagination. Together, the completed mural stood as a visual reminder of how shared stories and creative collaboration can bridge generations.
 

Each holiday season, NSS Life collects donations of holiday cards, letters, and drawings to distribute to residents of nursing homes throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area. This year, Canon-McMillan art students were invited to help contribute toward their 2025 goal of collecting 6,000 cards for nursing home residents.
Students from the high school used their creativity to design heartfelt cards featuring cheerful artwork, warm messages, and thoughtful holiday wishes. Their participation reflects the Art Department’s ongoing commitment to community engagement and the belief that arts education can inspire compassion, connection, and service beyond the classroom.

Thank you to all the students for their creativity, generosity, and dedication to spreading kindness. We wish the residents a warm and joyful holiday season, and we encourage others in the community to take part in projects that bring comfort and happiness to others during this time of year.