GGUSD Celebrates Students’ Artistic Achievements at 44th Annual Art Show

• Monday, April 4, 2022

Garden Grove Unified School District (GGUSD) hosted its 44th annual First Impressions Art Show to celebrate the vast artistic skills of hundreds of students from all grade levels from preschool to high school. Awards were presented in front of a packed room of parents, staff, and community members at the Garden Grove Community Center on Saturday, April 2^nd, 2022.

Garden Grove Mayor Steve Jones presented fourth grader Christy Tran of Post Elementary School with the Mayor’s Award for her 3D artwork titled “Red Panda.” GGUSD Board of Education President Bob Harden awarded the President of the School Board Award to Pacifica High School junior Kelly Hoang for her Chalk Pastel piece, “One in a Million.”

“GGUSD’s award-winning Visual and Performing Arts programs are truly impressive and our teachers should be commended for providing robust opportunities for students to strengthen and showcase their artistic talents,” said Board of Education President Bob Harden.

Dr. Gabriela Mafi presented the Superintendent’s Award to Irvine Intermediate seventh grade student Vanessa Le for her Pastel Oil artwork, “Psychedelic Frida.”

The PK-6 Best in Show title was awarded to Cook Elementary sixth grader Elen Thach for her Watercolor Painting, “Hua Cheng/Heaven Official’s Blessing/TGCF.”

The 7-8 Best in Show was awarded to Fitz Computer Science Academy eight grader Hailey Nguyen for her Colored Pencil artwork, “Distorted Grief.”

Pacifica High School senior Ella Garcia earned 9-12 Best in Show for her 3D Ceramics piece called “Ramen Bowl.”

The program cover was an acrylic painting of a tiger by Walton Intermediate seventh grader Lauren Ho.

GGUSD students also designed the artwork for the city’s Open Streets event which is displayed in Village Green Park and includes artwork from Aaron Bautista, Los Amigos; Ignacio Bernal, Santiago; Jesse Gutierrez, Santiago; Vicky Ha, Fitz; Bryan Mejia, Los Amigos; William No, Los Amigos; My Nguyen, Hare; Jeremy Nguyen, Los Amigos; Graziela Pachelli, Fitz; Daniel Palacios, Los Amigos; and Amy Reynosa, Santiago.  At the Open Streets event, several student groups performed including a rock band from Bryant Arts Academy, the Northcutt Elementary chorus and the Bolsa Grande Jazz Band.

The event was held at the Garden Grove Community Center with the artwork on display in a gallery hosted at The Courtyard Center on Monday, April 4^th through Thursday, April 7^th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. GGUSD Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts Stacy Harris and Teacher on Special Assignment
Matt Franklin organized the district art show. 

Award-winners will also be recognized at an upcoming Board of Education meeting and student artwork is displayed in the district office throughout the year.

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