📰BIDDEFORD | From the Classroom to the Gallery: BHS Student Artists Earn Statewide Recognition in Prestigious Scholastic Art Awards By Karen Garnett, Contributing Writer

February 2, 2026, Two Biddeford High School (BHS) students are being recognized for their award-winning artwork in the prestigious Scholastic Art and Writing Awards at the Maine College of Art & Design (MECA) in Portland next month. BHS Junior Brynn Wilkinson earned a Silver Key Award for her "Drawn by Light", an 8-by-10 acrylic still-life painting, and BHS Sophomore Shayleigh Kennedy earned an Honorable Mention for her "Chromatic Shades of Me", an 18-by-24 portrait.

The program honors the creativity of teens at both the regional and national levels through awards, exhibitions, publications, and scholarship opportunities. Open to students in grades 7–12, the competition invites submissions across 29 categories in art and writing. All entries are reviewed through a blind judging process by leading professionals in the visual and literary arts, ensuring that work is evaluated solely on its merit. Evaluators look for pieces that demonstrate originality, technical skill, and a developing personal voice or artistic vision.

Biddeford High School Sophomore Shayleigh Kennedy’s artwork, "Chromatic Shades of Me," has been recognized with the Scholastic Art and Writing Honorable Mention Award for her portrait.

“I’m incredibly proud of these students—not just for the quality of their work, but for the courage it takes to share their creativity beyond the classroom,” said Elizabeth Ames, Biddeford High School Art Teacher. “Year after year, students from the Biddeford art program earn recognition through this program, reflecting the depth of talent, dedication, and creative risk-taking across our classes. Their pieces demonstrate strong technical skills and emerging artistic voices, and it’s been a joy to support them through the process. Attending the exhibit at Maine College of Art & Design later this month is a meaningful way to celebrate their achievements and show them that their work truly belongs in the broader artistic community.”

Both Wilkinson and Kennedy will be honored at an awards ceremony on March 14, 2026, and their award-winning artwork, along with other Maine student artwork, will be on display at the Maine College of Art & Design (MECA) in Portland from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. between February 20, 2026, and March 14, 2026.

Biddeford High School Junior Brynn Wilkinson’s artwork, “Drawn by Light,” has been recognized with the Scholastic Art and Writing Silver Key Award for her acrylic still-life painting.

Biddeford High School encourages the arts through an extensive Fine Arts curriculum, which includes Foundations of Art, Drawing and Color, Painting, Advanced Studio Art, Ceramics, Music (Theory, Concert Choir, Chamber Choir), Band (Symphonic, Concert, Jazz, Percussion, Guitar), Theater (Dance, Choreography), and Video Production.