WILLIAMS, CA (MPG) – Young artists from across Colusa County were recognized March 14 during the 2026 Joan Holybee Youth Art Show at the Williams Community Center, an annual event highlighting student artwork from local schools.
Local artist Mary Ann Nation served as judge for the exhibit.
“The degree of art and the variety I see from students is amazing,” Nation said. “Trying to narrow it down to a few winners is difficult because there is so much beautiful work.”
Dayami Villanueva, a senior at Pierce High School, received Best of Show for a penciled rendering of the Mona Lisa.
In the high school division, Synahi Torres and Marley Hernandez of Williams High School shared first place for a ceramic piece the two students created together. Robert Rivera Ayal of S. William Abel Academy received second place, and Fernando V. of Maxwell High School placed third.
In the seventh through ninth grade division, Jessica Salazar of Johnson Junior High received first place. Yanelly Orduño, a seventh grader at Egling Middle School, received second place for a pencil drawing of Michelangelo’s statue of David. Orduño said she chose the subject to challenge herself with shading techniques.
Elizabeth Dawley of Arbuckle, who attends Woodland Christian School, received third place with a watercolor painting of a yak. Dawley said the painting was inspired by the unique animals she enjoys drawing, particularly cattle.
Pierce High School junior Kandy Krystal Lievanos Ruiz received the judge’s choice award for an acrylic painting of her younger sister that Nation said skillfully used advanced techniques to create the illusion of three dimensions.
Ruiz said she chose the image from a photograph taken when she and her sister were children.
“I wanted to challenge myself to make it look less flat and give it more depth,” Ruiz said.
Ruiz said she has been drawing since she was young and began painting more seriously in middle school, developing her skills independently.
“I’ve never taken a class,” Ruiz said. “I just kept practicing and trying to improve.”
Pierce High School junior Victoria Quiroz Guzman received the Williams Community Center choice award for a mixed media painting of a swan.
The range of subjects in the show included classical studies, portraits, cartoons, papier-mache and animal imagery.
“Art is something people can continue throughout their lives,” Nation said. “Developing those skills early can lead to a lifelong interest in creativity.”
Photographs were also entered in the show this year by students from Williams Jr./Sr. High School, and organizers said a separate photography category may be considered for future shows as participation and financial support grow.
The Joan Holybee Youth Art Show began in 2017 and is organized by Judy Busath.
“If it wasn’t for our sponsors and our teachers encouraging their students, we wouldn’t be able to have the art show,” Busath said.
Students received awards ranging from Dutch Bros. gift cards to cash prizes up to $100.
Busath said donations supporting the youth art show can be sent to the Williams Community Center, where funds for the program are maintained separately and used to provide student cash awards and ribbons.