Middletown Public Schools K-12 Art Show Celebrating 45th Anniversary

MIDDLETOWN, CT – The Middletown Public Schools City Wide K-12 Art Show will celebrate its 45th year with an exhibition at the Zilkha Gallery at Wesleyan University.

The event showcases more than 600 works of art created by students ranging from pre-kindergarten through the 12th grade. The artworks demonstrate "mastery across various art mediums and styles," school officials said.

The exhibition provides an opportunity for gallery-goers to view the creative expressions of young artists. The display will include vibrant experiments of color and compositions that reflect the students' perspectives on the world. The Middletown Board of Education and Wesleyan University's Center for the Arts continue to support the development of these young minds.

An opening reception is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event will be held at the Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery, located at 283 Washington Terrace in Middletown. The reception is free and open to everyone.

Attendees will have the chance to meet the student artists, their families, and teachers. Also expected at the reception are Steve Matthews, the newly appointed Supervisor of the Fine Arts; Marco Gaylord, Director of Facilities, Safety, and Security; and Interim Superintendent Dr. Allan Addley. The event highlights the continued importance of art education in the community.

"The annual show is a declaration from Middletown Public Schools to neighboring districts and the rest of the state that art education is a pillar in this community," school officials said. "It encourages artists to express their talent and perspectives in a way that extends beyond the classroom. The exhibition aims to make student art visible to a wider audience, celebrating the hard work of these young creatives."