Major Student Art Showcase Opens In West Hartford This Week

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A townwide student art exhibition will return to West Hartford this week, showcasing work from kindergarten through 12th-grade artists while supporting a local food assistance program as well.

"Artbeat 2026," an annual exhibition celebrating student creativity, will be displayed from Wednesday, March 18, through April 4 at the West Hartford Art League, located at 37 Buena Vista Road in West Hartford.

The exhibition will be hosted in the Saltbox and Clubhouse galleries at the Art League.

Gallery hours are scheduled for 1–4 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, during the run of the show.

Organizers are also pairing the event with a community food drive.

Visitors attending the opening and exhibition are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations, which will be collected at gallery entrances for the West Hartford Food Pantry.

An opening reception will be held on Wednesday, March 18, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Guests are encouraged to attend, celebrate student achievement, and support the arts in education.

At the opening reception, attendees are invited to bring non-perishable food items to benefit the food pantry.

Artbeat is sponsored by West Hartford Public Schools and the West Hartford Art League, with support from our community partner, Jerry's Artarama of West Hartford.

The event’s theme highlights both artistic expression and community support, promoted with the message: “Art for the Heart… Food for the Soul.”

Artbeat is designed to highlight the range of creative work produced by local students and to bring families and residents together around arts education in West Hartford while also helping stock the town’s food pantry.