One hundred thirty-nine high school students are preparing to enhance their artistic skills at the annual Washburn University High School Art Day on November 8. During this event, students will participate in workshops led by Washburn art faculty, alumni, and advanced art education students. Organized by the Washburn University art department, the workshops are exclusively for pre-registered students.

This year introduces a new feature: an augmented reality session where students will tour the campus using iPads to view interactive virtual art images overlaid on campus buildings, such as a dynamic “mural” on Morgan Hall. This session will be conducted by Professor Wonjae Lee.

As part of High School Art Day, each student will submit one piece of artwork for the juried High School Art Day Student Exhibition, which runs through November 8 in the art gallery of the Washburn University Art Building. The awards ceremony will feature guest speaker Cecilia Nuno, a professional graphic designer and Washburn graduate from the class of 2022.

The 139 registered students come from 23 high schools, primarily within a 60-mile radius. Six of these schools are located in Shawnee County: Shawnee Heights High School, Washburn Rural High School, Topeka High School, Topeka West High School, Seaman High School, and Cornerstone home school.

This event is sponsored by the Washburn University College of Arts & Sciences, the Washburn University art department, Washburn University Admissions, the Ichabod Shop, Washburn University Center for Student Success & Retention and Washburn’s Mulvane Art Museum.

The exhibition is open for viewing during regular Art Building hours: 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday to Wednesday and 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. on Thursdays. A reception will be held on Wednesday, November 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. Both the exhibition and the reception are free and open to the public.

For more information visit Washburn University’s website.