BEST IN SHOW: Kathryn Sweeney of Council Rock High School North in Newtown, Pa., was the Best in Show winner for “Silent Sound” at the 2025 “Youth Art Exhibition” at Phillips’ Mill in New Hope, Pa.
Though renowned for its support of adult artists, Phillips’ Mill actively seeks to nurture young visual artists as well, especially through its annual “Youth Art Exhibition” featuring the work of area high school students. The Mill will be showcasing student artwork from a record 25 schools this year, on weekends from January 25 through February 15.
Students are selected by their school art teachers who deliver paintings, works on paper, photography, digital art, and 3D works to the Mill each January. This year, the Mill welcomes Harry S. Truman High School of Levittown in Bristol Township, Pa., as its newest participating high school.
When this show was first introduced in 2014, 10 schools participated. The 25 participants this year include, along with Harry S. Truman High School, Central Bucks High School East, Central Bucks High School West, Central Bucks High School South, Council Rock High School North, Council Rock High School South, Ewing High School, George School, Hillsborough High School, Holy Ghost Preparatory School, Hopewell Valley Central High School, Hunterdon Central Regional High School, Neshaminy High School, New Hope-Solebury High School, Notre Dame High School, Pennsbury High School, Princeton Day School, Solebury School, Stuart Country Day School, The Hun School, The Pennington School, Upper Dublin High School, West Windsor-Plainsboro North, West Windsor-Plainsboro South, and Villa Victoria Academy.
“The ‘Youth Art Exhibition’ is a rare opportunity to experience the creative lives of young people,” said Kathy Schroeher, co-chair of the show along with Susan Brussock. “Their works are energetic, emotional, often introspective and insightful. This is not your typical show of pretty landscapes.”
Having their work displayed in a historical setting such as Phillips’ Mill allows students to reach a larger audience and gives them the chance to sell their work if they choose, with 100 percent of the purchase price going to the student. Besides being displayed in a professional manner, the students’ work is juried for first, second, and third place awards in each of the five categories, plus one Best in Show award. A People’s Choice Award voted on by visitors to the exhibition is announced at the close of the show. This year’s juror is Morris Docktor, a classically trained artist whose work over five decades includes sculpture, murals, and portrait commissions. He has won numerous awards, including two at the Mill’s “Juried Art Show” last year.
Many “Youth Art Exhibition” students have gone on to pursue careers in the arts, attending such schools as Rhode Island School of Design, Tyler School of Art, Savannah College of Art and Design, Fashion Institute of Technology, School of Visual Arts, and Pratt School of Art.
The Mill charges no fees to the schools or students participating in the show and waives admission fees and commissions on sales of the students’ art. Mill members and patrons of the show support the 17 cash awards presented each year. To support this exhibition and encourage talented young artists, visit phillipsmill.org/youth-art-exhibition. The show can also be viewed online at the same link.
The 2026 “Youth Art Exhibition” is on view Saturdays and Sundays from January 25 to February 15 from 12 to 4 p.m. Free admission. Ample parking is available behind the Mill.
Phillips’ Mill Community Association is located at 2619 River Road, New Hope, Pa. For more information, call (215) 862-0582, visit phillipsmill.org, or email youth-art@phillipsmill.org.