America250 Youth Art Exhibition

May 27, 2026 – October 24, 2026

We are excited to announce a unique opportunity for students to participate in a youth exhibition at the Springville Museum of Art connected to the larger America250 program happening nationwide to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States!

This America250 Youth Art Exhibition will be open to K-12 students in Nebo School District or living in Springville and Mapleton. Accepted student submissions will be displayed alongside a selection of pieces from the Museum’s Permanent Collection from May 27, 2026 through October 24, 2026. 


Student Prompt:

Since the founding of the United States, artists have used art to explored identity, community, and belonging, often inspired by the many stories that make up our shared history. The selected artworks from the Museum’s Permanent Collection highlight these themes and represent a wide range of experiences and viewpoints. We invite students to create an original artwork that reflects their perspective and responds to the questions below:

  • How do your experiences with community, culture, family, place, or your personal journey connect with or differ from the stories you see in these artworks? 
  • What story about life in the United States feels important for you to tell?
  • How do you see yourself contributing to or shaping the American story?

Students are encouraged to share their unique voice and their own understanding and lived experience.


Looking Over Puye   2020

Kwani Winder aka Kwani Povi Winder (1989 - )

oil on linen mounted board

Easy to Raise   2023

Bianca Velasquez (1993 – )

beadwork on recycled canvas

New Americans   1974

Nicholas Britsky (Weldirz, Ukraine, 1914 - 2005, Savoy, Illinois)

 oil on board

All American   2017

Fidalis Buehler (1977 - )

oil on panel

Grandma is a Storyteller   2000

Judith Ann Mehr (San Francisco, CA, 1951 - )

oil on canvas

Paul Revere.  1899

Cyrus Edwin Dallin (Springville, Utah, 1861 - 1944, Arlington Heights, Massachusetts)

plaster

Important Dates:

May 5-8, 2026, 1:00-5:00pm

Artworks may be dropped off at the Museum

May 13, 2026, before 5:00pm
List of accepted works will be posted at SMofA.org

May 27, 2026
Exhibition opens

October 24, 2026
Exhibition closes 

October 27 - November 25, 10am-5pm

Artwork Pickup, Tuesday-Friday between 10:00am and 5:00pm (excluding November 26-27)

Items not picked up by December 1, 2026 will not be retained.

Additional Information:

·         To eliminate any cost barriers, the Museum will provide a limited number of canvases for students, available on a first-come, first-served basis. These will be available by inquiring the Front Desk starting on January 20, 2026.

·         2-D and 3-D artwork of all kinds will be accepted.

·         No works will be considered if they contain glitter, candy, glued-on beans, macaroni, or similar materials that tend to fall off when handled or invite pests into the Museum. 

·         Works should be no larger than 50 x 50 inches. 

·         Each student is limited to one entry. 

·         Artworks will be juried by the SMA Education staff and should be original and individually conceived by the students, rather than class projects.

·         To submit your work, bring it to the Museum on May 5th-8th between 1pm and 5pm with a completed entry card that clearly lists the artist’s first and last name, home phone number, parent email, grade, school, and, teacher’s name and email (if applicable). The entry cards should be attached to the back of the work. Works without fully completed entry cards attached will not be considered for the exhibition. 


Please contact Caley Abilez with any questions at CAbilez@SpringvilleUtah.gov.