Robert T. McKee Student Art Exhibition: Celebrating Art in Education

If the 95th Robert T. McKee Student Art Exhibition is anything like past shows, more than 1,000 stunning pieces of artwork produced by area artists in kindergarten through 12th grade will be on display at the Haggin Museum in Stockton. The longest-running museum-sponsored student art exhibition in the country celebrates arts in education. The submitted art is hand-selected by teachers as the best from their classes. The exhibit gives students the chance to have their artwork displayed for the general public to enjoy. It also features a special reception that students, their families and teachers are invited to attend.

Teachers and students say participating in the exhibit is so rewarding. “Students are motivated to share their hard work with others beyond school because they are proud of their creative talents,” said Jean Aguilar, who teaches a variety of art classes at Saint Mary’s High School in Stockton. “Exhibiting their artwork publicly is very empowering. It inspires students to keep learning, experimenting and expanding their creativity.”

Jean said the exhibit is important because it gives students a real-world experience that is a boost for their self-esteem. “They are sharing a very personal part of themselves through their artwork,” she said. Twenty students from Saint Mary’s have entered their artwork in the exhibition including a variety of drawings, paintings and mixed-media pieces.

Malelany Phillips, a junior at Saint Mary’s, has submitted a symmetrical design created with markers in various shades of pink and other colors. Her project took about two weeks to create. “My design was inspired by the scrollwork in ancient Greek and Roman architecture,” she said.

The show will be on display at the Haggin Museum from January 29 through March 15, 2026. All schools in San Joaquin County—public, private, charter, parochial and home-schools—received invitations to submit their work. The McKee Student Art Exhibition is a snapshot of arts education in our area and underscores the importance of creative activity in the classroom. Once a teacher encourages their students to enter the exhibit, it often becomes something they look forward to doing again and again!
“For 95 years, the Robert T. McKee Student Art Exhibition has reflected the strength and diversity of arts education in San Joaquin County,” said Susan Obert, the Haggin Museum’s chief executive officer. “By bringing together student work from classrooms across the region, the exhibition celebrates the essential role creativity plays in learning and community life.”

Bear Creek High School art teacher Shan Swoverland said his students have been participating for over 25 years. “I encourage my students to strive to show their voice in their work, while creating pieces of fine art. They always have a sense of pride when I recommend them to enter. Even the students who don’t enter, I give them extra credit to go view the show,” he said. “The McKee exhibition holds a special place for me. I remember some of my work was entered a few times as a child and teenager. Now it’s my pleasure to carry on that tradition as an art educator. I remind my students that the McKee show isn’t about winning. It’s all about coming together and celebrating art in our community.

The exhibition was first envisioned by the Haggin’s founding patron, Robert T. McKee, whose goal was to encourage students by providing a public venue for their artwork. Since the first show in 1931, the Haggin has been honored to collaborate with the schools of San Joaquin County, resulting in 95 years of celebrating the efforts of its teachers and expression of its young artists.

“This exhibition embodies our commitment to supporting young artists by giving them a public space to share their ideas and perspectives,” said Nicole D. George, who serves as the Haggin’s director of education. “It reinforces the museum’s mission to spark curiosity and inspire lifelong engagement with the arts and regional history.”
The Museum will hold an artists’ reception for students, their families and teachers on Saturday, February 7, from 1:00 to 3:30 pm. This event is free to the public and sponsored by the Junior Women’s Group of the Haggin Museum, who will provide punch and cookies to the guests. The reception is a fun time for students to spy their artwork on the wall and pose for a photo opportunity holding colorful arrow-shaped signs that declare “My ART is at the Haggin.”

This year’s student art show judge is MJ Lazarski, a plein air painter. “To experience the beauty and joy of our existence here on earth is the path to achieving great happiness. My intention as an artist is to share some of this beauty from my perspective,” MJ said.

Jean, who teaches Art 1-2, Art 3-4, Design and Exploration, as well as AP Art & Design, said many of her former students have won awards for their artwork over the past 29 years she has taught at St. Mary’s. “The pride and excitement they feel is unmatched. I often hear them say how surprised they are that people they don’t even know appreciate and admire their work,” she said. “It’s one thing for their teacher and family members to acknowledge their talents, but to receive positive feedback from complete strangers is probably the most empowering feeling.”