Gallery 37 is a cornerstone of WVAC’s mission to nurture young artists and foster cultural vibrancy throughout the West Valley.”

Kathy Knecht | West Valley Arts Council executive director

The West Valley Arts Council announced the apprentices selected for the Gallery 37 2025 Summer Program, its flagship youth arts initiative that empowers students to collaborate with a professional teaching artist to create a lasting piece of public art.

The city of Tolleson is sponsoring this year’s project and supports the city’s vision to expand the Paseo de Artes along Van Buren Street — an evolving sculpture series first launched through Gallery 37 in 2012 and 2013, which earned the prestigious Governor’s Arts Award in 2015.

“This year’s cohort represents some of the brightest emerging artists from across the West Valley,” West Valley Arts Council officials wrote in a news release. “Selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants, these apprentices impressed the selection panel with their creativity, skill and dedication to the arts.”

The Gallery 37 2025 apprentices are Xander Armstrong, Rebecca Babida, Sienna Chisum, Desiree Dabney-Corona, Ashley Diaz, Gia DuBose, Vanessa Galvez, Brielle Garca, Andrea Garcia Barajas, Autumn Richards, Andrea Rios, Mia Robles, Jon Signs, Lan Truong and Ryu Zebell.

Surprise, Avondale, El Mirage, Glendale, Goodyear, Peoria, Phoenix and Tolleson are the cities represented.

High schools represented included the following: Apollo, Betty Fairfax, Cactus, Centennial, Cortez, Desert Edge, Independence, Paradise Honors, Raymond S. Kellis, Tolleson, Valley Vista and West Point.

Under the guidance of a professional teaching artist, these apprentices will work together this summer at Estrella Mountain Community College in Avondale, bringing their collective vision to life for a new public art piece that will enhance Tolleson’s growing arts scene.

“Gallery 37 is a cornerstone of WVAC’s mission to nurture young artists and foster cultural vibrancy throughout the West Valley,” said Kathy Knecht, executive director of the West Valley Arts Council. “This year’s cohort will not only sharpen their artistic talents but also leave a meaningful legacy for the Tolleson community.”

WVAC looks forward to expanding the reach of Gallery 37 in future years to new cities and partners across the region. Corporate sponsors and municipalities interested in supporting public art, youth development and community enrichment are encouraged to reach out and learn how they can be part of bringing transformative art projects to life

This project is made possible thanks to the generous support of Estrella Mountain Community College, the Arizona Community Foundation, the West Valley Mavericks, Salt River Project and the many donors who continue to invest in the mission of the West Valley Arts Council.

For information about Gallery 37, upcoming projects or sponsorship opportunities, visit westvalleyarts.org or contact us directly.