Brightpoint Announces its 2026 Juried Student Art Show Winners

Primary Media Contact:

Holly Walker
Director of Communications and Public Relations
804-594-1530

Secondary Media Contact:

Heather Busch
Director of Marketing and Brand Strategy
804-594-1532

CHESTER and MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – Each year, Brightpoint Community College recognizes the talents and creativity of its student artists during a Juried Student Art Show, hosted and organized by the college’s Department of Visual Arts. Whitney Bowditch, an artist and educator, who teaches at Virginia Commonwealth University, juried this year’s exhibit. She gave a juror talk and announced the winning pieces during a reception held on April 17, 2026, in the Gallery at Brightpoint, located on the college’s Midlothian Campus.

The 2026 Juried Art Show winners are (list includes category, artist’s name, and name of winning work):

Plaza Artist Materials Award 

Estefania Jimenez 
Arthur and Norah

Alternative Media Award 

Estefania Jimenez 
Dreaming at the James River

Clayworks Supplies Ceramics Award  

Jack Goolsby 
Abstract Form

Jonathan Burnley Design Award  

Gilbert Lopez 
Still Reluctant 

Karen Shipstedt Memorial Drawing Award 

Aine Pierce 
Mug and Drape

Savedge Family Photography Award 

Kasey McGraw 
Dancing with Caravaggio

Martha Brogley Memorial Painting Award  

Bob Wynne 
Marching with Martin

Midlothian Campus Bookstore Award  

Donna Pleasants 
Golden Memories

Honorable Mention 

Richard Rumble 
Rest

Honorable Mention 

AJ Jung 
Beyond the Horizon

Honorable Mention 

Catherine Hwang 
Taking Off

Honorable Mention 

Julie Jarrell 
Untitled

Throughout the year, the Art Gallery at Brightpoint hosts exhibitions from professional artists and Brightpoint students. During exhibitions, the gallery, located in Eliades Hall, room E107, is open to the public Monday – Friday from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m., and by appointment. To schedule an appointment outside of regular operating hours, please contact Dr. Paula Winn, professor of art history.  

To learn more about Brightpoint’s visual arts programs, visit the college’s website. 

Brightpoint Community College, one of the largest institutions in the Virginia Community College System, envisions a success story for every student. Brightpoint offers students a high-quality, high-value education, with more than 80 majors that provide pathways to careers in in-demand fields; transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities; and industry credentials and licensures. The college, with campuses in Chester and Midlothian, online classes, and off-campus classrooms, served 12,686 students during the 2024-25 academic year. It also assisted 4,200 learners through Community College Workforce Alliance, the shared workforce division of Brightpoint and Reynolds community colleges.