CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA – Hacienda La Puente Unified’s annual Art Show transformed Willow Conference Center into a gallery of imagination from March 26 to April 3, showcasing more than 1,000 student-created works centered on the theme, “Kaleidoscope: A World Where Many Pieces Fit Together.”

The original art pieces were created by students from pre-kindergarten to grade 12, and the gallery featured live performances during opening night from the Fairgrove Academy Jazz Band, Glen A. Wilson High School Korean drummers, and the District’s middle school Mariachi ensemble made up of students from Orange Grove and Sparks middle schools.

“This event gives our students the opportunity to showcase their creativity and talent,” said Dr. Benita Scheckel, HLPUSD’s Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Coordinator. “Our high school artists inspire our younger students to explore their own artistic journeys, building a strong, creative community.”

A total of 202 awards were presented, with each school receiving at least two accolades, ranging from Best in Show to honorable mention. Maya Guzman from Workman High School was honored with the prestigious Superintendent’s Award, which included a $100 scholarship. Board of Education members also selected their favorite pieces, awarding additional scholarships to student artists. All art pieces were available for sale, with proceeds benefiting the students.

Laila Castro, a senior at Los Altos High School, received an Award of Excellence for her acrylic painting on a canvas made from a paper bag depicting a stream running through a forest. The crinkled texture with ripped edges made the piece an exciting challenge to create.

“I like art because of the freedom, and you can be really creative and make anything you want,” Castro said. “It’s really cool that so many students are getting recognized for their art from across different grades.”

The Art Show also featured collaborations with multiple District departments, including Career Technical Education (CTE), Ethnic Studies, and Data, Research, and Innovation. CTE student ambassadors demonstrated their leadership skills by serving appetizers during the opening reception.

Technology teachers on special assignment, Teresa Magpayo-Castro and Ricardo Recinos, showcased how technology can enhance art through virtual galleries, a green screen theatre arts game, and a District VAPA highlight video. Interactive stations allowed attendees to experience student artwork through virtual reality and digital tools, empowering students to create and share their work in new and innovative ways.

“We want our students to be creators, not just consumers of digital content,” Recinos said. “Technology opens new doors for engagement, allowing students to express themselves on a larger scale.”

A special show segment highlighted student artwork inspired by Ethnic Studies projects across the District. Los Altos and Workman high school students created pieces based on the poem, “I Am Joaquin” by Rudolfo “Corky” Gonzales, reflecting themes of heritage, resistance, and social justice. Elementary school students designed personal, mini-murals inspired by “The Spirit of Chicano Park” by Beatrice Zamora, celebrating family and cultural roots. At Sparks Middle School, students created self-portraits influenced by Frida Kahlo, exploring self-expression and individuality. Intersectional Ethnic Studies Coordinator Ron Espiritu emphasized how art helps students connect with culture, history, and their own identities.

“At the heart of Ethnic Studies is teaching self-love and fostering understanding across diverse communities,” Espiritu said. “These self-portraits empower students to celebrate their identities while drawing inspiration from artists of color.”

Espiritu also hosted a station where attendees created mini-Maya codices using accordion-style cardboard and stamps by artist Ernesto Vasquez. The stamps featured hieroglyphics from the “Códice Maya de Mexico,” the oldest book in the Americas, allowing students to connect with history by creating their own, personalized pieces.

“The annual District Art Show is a powerful celebration of our students’ creativity,” Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez said. “We are incredibly proud of their talents and encourage them to continue expressing themselves boldly and innovatively.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS

HLPUSD_ ARTSHOW1: Laila Castro, a senior at Los Altos High School, received an Award of Excellence for her acrylic painting on a paper bag canvas during Hacienda La Puente Unified School District’s annual Art Show from March 26 to April 3.

HLPUSD_ ARTSHOW2: Caleb Nguyen, a first grader from Mesa Robles Middle School, stands in front of his Martin Luther King Jr. art piece that says, “I will be a peacemaker by helping others,” and won him honorable mention recognition at the HLPUSD Art Show.