January 8, 2026
New Canaan High School
Art Department
CAEA, Connecticut Regional Scholastics Art Artwards
On Wednesday, January 7th the Connecticut Art Education Association announced recipients of the prestigious 2026 Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art Awards, which celebrate achievements in technical skill, creativity and personal voice.
Thousands of student entries were judged from across the state, but only a selection of entries in each category were included, awarded and will be displayed at their annual exhibition at the University of Hartford. Thirteen students from New Canaan High School were selected as either Honorable Mention, Silver Key or Gold Key winners.
Senior Isabelle Kelly was awarded a Silver Key for her Art Portfolio, Where Am I Going? Where Have I Been?. Along with the Silver Key, Isabelle also earned a scholarship to the University of Hartford Art School. Emma McPartland was granted a Gold Key and the CAEA Arnini Award: Best in Experimental Photography for her photography composite, Arabesque.
All Gold Key recipients will advance to the national level of competition.
Listed below are the award recipients:
Teacher: Abigail Duncan
Analiese Bergmans, The Cost of Growing Up, drawing – GOLD KEY
Analiese Bergmans, Raw, drawing – GOLD KEY
Isabelle Kelly, Where Am I Going? Where Have I Been? portfolio – SILVER KEY, University of Hartford Art School Scholarship Award
Teacher: Maggie Pennoyer
Devin Boulanger, Interstellar, photography – SILVER KEY
Emily Meng, Ocean Embers, digital painting, drawing, collage – SILVER KEY
Emily Meng, Relaxation, drawing – SILVER KEY
Logan Scherr, Silent Cast, photography – SILVER KEY
Eva Warner, Grand Tetons, photography – GOLD KEY
Teacher: Jennifer Sinski
Lucy Bench, Cuenca Cathedral, printmaking – SILVER KEY
Emmeline DeMuth, Old Port, photography – GOLD KEY
Emma McPartland, Arabesque, photography – GOLD KEY, CAEA Arnini Award: Best in Experimental Photography
Gabrielle Savelli, Twin Bees, photography – GOLD KEY
Lyn Wong, Alley in Japan, printmaking – HONORABLE MENTION
Outside Submissions
Blake Pozatek, Grandma on the Moon, photography – SILVER KEY
Joy Zhao, Insanity, Drawing – GOLD KEY
Connecticut Regional Art Awards Exhibit
Silpe Gallery, Hartford Art School
200 Bloomfield Ave. West Hartford CT, 06117
January 11 - 30, 2026
M-F — 9:00am - 4:30pm S-S — 12:00-5:00pm
Closed January 19th in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.
Awards Celebration: Sunday, January 25th 2pm
Lincoln Theater, University of Hartford
Analiese Bergmans, The Cost of Growing Up, drawing – GOLD KEY
Analiese Bergmans, Raw, drawing – GOLD KEY
Isabelle Kelly, Where Am I Going? Where Have I Been? portfolio – SILVER KEY,
University of Hartford Art School Scholarship Award
Devin Boulanger, Interstellar, photography – SILVER KEY
Emily Meng, Ocean Embers, digital painting, drawing, collage – SILVER KEY
Emily Meng, Relaxation, drawing – SILVER KEY
Logan Scherr, Silent Cast, photography – SILVER KEY
Eva Warner, Grand Tetons, photography – GOLD KEY
Lucy Bench, Cuenca Cathedral, printmaking – SILVER KEY
Emmeline DeMuth, Old Port, photography – GOLD KEY
Emma McPartland, Arabesque, photography – GOLD KEY,
CAEA Arnini Award: Best in Experimental Photography
Gabrielle Savelli, Twin Bees, photography – GOLD KEY
Lyn Wong, Alley in Japan, printmaking – HONORABLE MENTION
Blake Pozatek, Grandma on the Moon, photography – SILVER KEY
Joy Zhao, Insanity, Drawing – GOLD KEY