By: Dayna Schmutz, Foundation Technician, Florida Virtual School (FLVS) Foundation

FLVS Flex student Hazeleigh Johnson poses with her first-place-winning painting, "If Cats Ruled Space," at the Artful Expressions student art showcase.

The Artful Expressions: A Universe of Possibilities student art exhibition showcases winning pieces that explored themes of space, innovation, nature, and imagination, highlighting the powerful connection between creativity and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

The work spans multiple formats, including space‑themed photography, digital illustrations, detailed paintings, and conceptual mixed‑media projects. More than 70 students from Florida Virtual School (FLVS) and Florida Scholars Academy (FSA) showcased their creativity at the Florida Virtual School Foundation’s fourth annual exhibition, held at the Orlando Science Center.

The show, open through April 4, features original student work in digital art, drawing, painting, photography, and mixed media, all inspired by themes of space, innovation, and imagination.

2025-26 Winners

Florida Virtual School (FLVS)

Digital art — High school
1st place: Brielle Gonzales, All the Beauty in Front of Us
2nd place: Sofia Rey, Dreaming Big
3rd place: Jacob Mendoza-McDonough, Abyssal Zone

Digital art — Middle school
1st place: Leila Watson, Overlooking the Globe
2nd place: Makenna Green, Mission to Mars

Digital art — Elementary school
1st place: Luna Sprouse, My Palette
2nd place: Saya Jonnada, A Tranquil Pause Amidst the Cosmos
3rd place: Kaylee Donges, Earth’s Horizon and Beyond

Drawing — Elementary school
1st place: Annabella Ninivaggi, Mission: Possibilities
2nd place: Cecelia Oberst, Possibility
3rd place: Sir West, Impossible Becomes Possible

Drawing — Middle school
1st place: Michael Pociask, Interstellar Tourist
2nd place: Jaxon Pociask, Celestial Guardian
3rd place: Makaira Jonnada, One Universe: Two Perspectives

Drawing — High school
1st place: Romy Guedj, Infinite Within

Painting — Elementary school
1st place: Hazeleigh Johnson, If Cats Ruled Space
2nd place: Amelia Bowen, 3,000 Possibilities
3rd place: Aria Atencio, The In-between

Painting — Middle school
1st place: Alyssa Williams, Not Your Average Planet
2nd place: Camryn Dodson, The Mysteries of Space
3rd place: Iyiannah Albury, Mysterious Saturn

Painting — High school
1st place: Caien Lilyea, Endless Journey
2nd place: Alexandria Lewis, Endless Thoughts
3rd place: Lelani Aponte, Time is the Producer of Outcomes

Photography
Elementary school: Gwenevere Davey, Space Launch
High school: Aiden Cardoza, Mother Earth’s Care Is Not Just Black and White

Honorable mentions (FLVS):
Sylar Borden; Natalia Silva-Santana; Aurora Turner; Emma Alvarez; Greyson Dinwiddie; Olivia Wyatt; Bridget Moreno; Olivia Quade; Roman Collins; Francesca Gloriani; Lexi Aleman; Ryker Collins; Aiden Cardoza; Ashlyn Stevenson; Charles Bianchi

Florida Scholars Academy (FSA)

Middle school
1st place: R.C., Into the Deep
2nd place: S.H., Mission Space

High school
1st place: L.L., Mars Attacks
2nd place: S.B., Unlimited Spark
3rd place: N.C., Anything is Possible

Honorable mentions (FSA):
J.M. and R.M.; J.S.; D.W.; J.S.; M.L.; B.M.; R.C.; L.S.; J.S.; D.O.; J.A.; T.O.; M.H.

Through programs like Artful Expressions, the FLVS Foundation continues to provide opportunities that empower students to explore their passions, showcase their talents, and envision a future full of possibilities.