The city of Goodyear will showcase the artistic talents of local high school students during the annual Georgia T. Lord Mayor Select Art Awards ceremony from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at City Hall.
Hosted by the city’s Arts & Culture Commission, the juried competition highlights creativity among students in grades nine through 12, offering participants the chance to display their work in a gallery-style setting and compete for scholarship prizes.
Awards will be presented by Mayor Joe Pizzillo during the ceremony, which will take place in the Goodyear Council Chambers at 1900 N. Civic Square.
The competition is open to public, private, charter and home-schooled students who either live in Goodyear or attend school within the city. Participants may submit up to three original works across three categories: drawing and painting, photography and digital art, and 3D or mixed media.
First-place winners in each category will receive $250 scholarships, while runners-up will be awarded $150. One student will earn the $600 Best in Show prize. Honorable mention ribbons will also be presented.
Artwork is evaluated by a panel of arts professionals, city staff and academic representatives based on presentation, originality, artistic quality and composition.
City officials say the program continues to grow in popularity.
Last year’s competition drew 31 entries from 25 student artists, marking the highest participation in several years.
In 2025, Ethan Baker earned Best in Show honors for his piece “Normal Everyday Activities,” while other students received category awards and scholarships. Among them was Persephone Preciado, who won first place in drawing and painting for her charcoal self-portrait “Reflection.”
“I’m just fascinated by the art these students create,” Pizzillo said at last year’s ceremony. “We’ve got a great group of young people with great art. It was very difficult to make decisions.”
The awards program aims to support young artists while providing a platform to showcase their work and pursue further education in the arts.
For more information, visit goodyearaz.gov.
James Goldmeer Reporter | Goodyear & Litchfield Park
Meet James James Goldmeer joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2024, starting their career as a reporter in Goodyear and Litchfield Park.
Community: James grew up in the West Valley, calling Avondale home and going to school in Glendale and Peoria. Returning to the community after university, James plans to get involved in everything arts and culture, and civil rights.
Education: Northern Arizona University a bachelor's degree in Journalism, a certificate in Professional Communications, with a minor in English.
Random Fact: James spent half a year as an intern for the Arizona House of Representatives communication team, working with legislators to inform the public through press releases and social media.
Hobbies: James collects postcards and old books, reads memoirs and attends local jazz shows.
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