Student artists from across the south and southwest suburbs gathered Thursday, March 19, as Saint Xavier University hosted the South Suburban Conference Visual Arts Festival and Reception for the first time.
The South Suburban Conference (SSC), a high school athletic and activity league made up of 14 schools, brought 70 students to campus for a day of workshops, exhibitions and awards celebrating creativity across multiple disciplines.
The conference traces its roots to the former South Inter-Conference Association, which dissolved in 2005 after more than three decades. The split led to the formation of several leagues, including the SSC, the Southwest Suburban Conference and the Southland Athletic Conference.
Nathan Peck, chair of the Art and Design Department at Saint Xavier, said hosting the event offered students a glimpse into collegiate-level art.
“Sharing what we do every day with high school students gives them hands-on experience and exposure into our world,” Peck said. “Having this many creative people in one room is my favorite thing ever.”
Students rotated through workshops led by university faculty, including an illustration session with Nat Soti, a laser workshop with Peck, a ceramics studio workshop with Edyta Stepien, a design studio with Sandra Mendez, and a drawing studio led by Cathie Ruggie Saunders.
Ryan Thompson, art department chair at Trinity Christian College, judged the competition, selecting works that stood out for their originality and impact.
“I looked for pieces that made me pause a little bit and made me think about the subject matter in a different way,” Thompson said.
Seven Best in Show awards were presented, along with 14 Best of School honors and 28 honorable mentions.
Among the top winners:
- Kendall Halloway of Eisenhower High School earned Best in Show Digital for “Flame.”
- Noor Mezher of Reavis High School won Best in Show Drawing for “Acclimate.”
- Amelia DiDomenico received Best in Show Graphic Design for “Dream World Page 1.”
- Faith Etapa of Evergreen Park High School took Best in Show Mixed Media for “ICE!”
- Damari Love of Thornton Fractional North won Best in Show Painting for “Tri-Pod.”
- Anijah Brandon earned Best in Show Photography.
- Yuri Boope of Oak Forest High School received Best in Show 3D for “Goat Head.”
Alexa Edwards, an art teacher at Argo High School, said the event provided valuable exposure beyond the classroom.
“This gives students the opportunity to visit a college campus and experience art on another level,” Edwards said.
Alyssa Thomas, 17, of Lansing and a student at Thornton Fractional South, said she hopes to pursue fine arts with a focus on illustration.
“Being a part of the SSC was the perfect gateway,” she said. “I was able to experiment with different types of materials.”
Mia Gutierrez, 17, of Justice and a student at Argo, said the photography showcase stood out.
“I’m hoping to eventually minor in photography,” she said. “I love the freedom of photography and also how it is real-world applicable.”
Autumn Trotter, 17, of Lansing and also a Thornton Fractional South student, said the day offered a meaningful introduction to college life.
“I appreciate that Saint Xavier let us come in and experience all of these classes,” she said.
The conference marked a successful first year at Saint Xavier, with participation from all 14 SSC schools and five students representing each campus, giving young artists both recognition and a deeper look into their creative futures.
