By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News
The future of Native art was on full display Thursday evening, April 16, as the annual Student Art Festival transformed the Youth Center into a vibrant gallery of culture, creativity, and youth expression.
Dedicated entirely to student artists in grades kindergarten through 12th, the long-running festival once again provided a platform for Native youth of Marysville School District to share their artistic voices. Families, educators, and community members filled the venue, moving from display to display in admiration of hundreds of student-created works that blended tradition with imagination.
For decades now, the annual event has been made possible through a strong partnership between the Tulalip Tribes and the Marysville School District. That collaboration continues to ensure Native students are given a space to express identity and culture through art.
“Our annual Art Festival is an opportunity for each Native student within the District to express themselves in a unique and creative way,” explained Deyamonta Diaz, positive youth development manager. “All the work that goes on behind the scenes to make this event possible, it’s like an all-hands-on-deck effort, is so worth it for our community to witness the pride and joy every student puts into their art.
“Each year our expectations are surpassed because we receive hundreds and hundreds of submissions,” he added. “For me, I look forward to seeing what new ways our kids find to express their Native culture or even developing their own way to retell a traditional story. There’s always something new and eye-catching that they come up with.”
A celebration of student creativity
From the moment doors opened, it was clear the night belonged to the youth. Artwork stretched across a wide range of categories, including drawing, painting, sculpture, digital art, writing, and cultural pieces. As in previous years, each submission offered a glimpse into how young artists interpret their heritage and lived experiences.
The festival has long been recognized as a celebration of identity and a chance for students to share personal and cultural narratives in their own voice. Whether through traditional designs, contemporary styles, or a blend of both, each piece reflected a unique perspective on Tulalip culture.
Organizers emphasized that the event is about empowerment just as much as it is about artistry. As Deyamonta noted, the goal is to give every Native student in the District an opportunity to “express themselves in a unique and creative way,” while allowing the community to witness the pride behind each creation.
Student-artist Cora Jimicum has been a participant in the Festival as far back as she can remember. When asked how many ribbons she’s earned over the years, she responded with “I don’t know. A lot!” Fair enough. Like a true artist, Cora continues to challenge herself year after year by dabbling in different mediums and creating new things. Her sea turtle medallion made of clay that hung from a beaded, seafoam-like necklace earned her a 2nd place ribbon.
“I had fun making the sea turtle, but my favorite piece this year is probably my Blue’s Clues mask. I used EVA foam to mold and shape the mask, then painted it and added fur.” said Cora, a Marysville-Pilchuck sophomore. “I do look forward to this time of the year, knowing the Art Festival is coming up. I enjoy creating art and using it to express whatever I’m feeling at the time or what’s on my mind. My goal is to always put something into every category that I can.”
Hundreds of submissions, endless imagination
Like years prior, the Festival featured an impressive number of submissions, reinforcing the event’s continued growth and popularity among students. Past festivals have drawn hundreds of entries, with painting consistently emerging as the most popular category.
That same trend held true this year, as colorful canvases lined display tables and walls throughout the Youth Center. Still, the diversity of mediums was equally striking. Handcrafted cultural items, mixed media pieces, photography, and written works all demonstrated a wide range of talent within the community’s youth.
Many students chose to submit multiple pieces across different categories, showcasing not only their creativity but their willingness to challenge themselves artistically. This multi-category participation has become a hallmark of the Festival, as young artists continue to expand their skills year after year.
One such youth that embraced her inner artist to the fullest was 15-year-old Madison Sheldon. The Heritage High School freshman entered her art into five different Festival categories and came away with four 1st place ribbons and one 3rd place ribbon.
“My favorite piece is probably my painting of Spider-Man vs Venom because it represents me and my sister Lilly,” shared Madison. “I put a lot of work into painting it, like getting all the details right, and I just love it. I’m excited to hang it up at my house when the Festival is over.
“For drawing, I drew a bear clan crest for my dad, used feathers my brother Adrian gave me to make a spinner for cultural dancing, and then I also molded a baby duck out of clay because I think baby ducks are the cutest,” she continued. “For mixed media, I depicted a Native American woman and her spirit animal, a fox. They share, collect, and use their energies to make each other stronger. Whether its dancing, singing, or anything else that is a part of her culture, she’s able to create good energy and use it to make herself stronger.”
Recognition and encouragement
A key component of the Art Festival is the opportunity for students to be recognized for their work. Judging panels carefully reviewed submissions across grade levels and categories, awarding ribbons for first, second, and third place, along with honorable mentions. Top finishers received both ceremonial recognition and monetary prizes, adding an extra layer of excitement to the evening.
But beyond awards, the event promotes something deeper. Judges and attendees alike often remark on the limitless imagination of the participants. The Festival consistently highlights how youth are not only preserving cultural traditions, but also reinterpreting them in new and innovative ways.
“I’m so proud of all our creative Natives!,” marveled Melissa Gobin, Tulalip’s environmental and education outreach coordinator. “I love crafting and experimenting with different art mediums, so to see all the things our kids are creating nowadays and how they aren’t afraid to let their imaginations run wild is just so impressive to me. They’re indigenizing art in ways I didn’t even know was possible.”
Looking ahead
Now in its 46th year, Tulalip’s Student Art Festival continues to grow in both participation and impact. Each year builds upon the last, with new artists stepping forward and returning participants raising the bar. The result is a dynamic and ever-evolving showcase that highlights the awe-inspiring creativity of Tulalip’s youth.
From kindergarten classrooms to high school studios, the next generation of artists is already telling their stories, honoring their culture, and shaping what comes next. We can’t wait to see what their imaginations have in store for us next year.