The City of Santa Rosa Public Art Program, in conjunction with the National Arts Program, is proud to announce the opening and the winners of the 18th Annual National Arts Program exhibition and competition, this year presented entirely online. The public is invited to view this year’s exhibition—on display through April 30, 2021—by going to InsideOutThere.com/National-Arts-Program.  

This annual program provides Santa Rosa artists an opportunity to showcase their artistic accomplishments and encourages artistic growth through scholarships and awards. Over $3,400 will be awarded for this year’s program, which features 199 works by artists of all ages and levels of experience. The distinguished judges were Anne Baumgartner, professional artist and art teacher, and Rima Makaryan, professional artist and activist. 

2021 National Arts Program Award Recipients: 

Adult Amateur: 

Melanie Nacouzi (1st), Stephen Crosley (2nd), Donald Pitts (3rd) 

Adult Intermediate:  

Merrill Vargo (1st), Emily McCauley (2nd), Alicia Hodges (3rd) 

Adult Professional: 

Nicole Irene Anderson (1st), Christina McGuirk (2nd), Sarah Stanley (3rd) 

Teen (13 – 18): 

Angel Manansala (1st), Dylan Thomson (2nd), Jimena Suarez (3rd) 

Youth (12 and under): 

Grace Gilley (1st), Leo Billotte (2nd), Lilian Chau (3rd) 

Art Education Award: Maisy Butler, Teen

Best of Show: Sara Downing, Professional 

National Arts Program was established in 1985 by the National Art Program Foundation to inspire, acknowledge, and reward creative accomplishments throughout the nation. The program began as a pilot project in Philadelphia and has extended nationally to include 90 venues in over 30 states. The concept of the National Arts Program is to provide an uninhibited opportunity for all people to present their talents at any level in a public exhibition, free to artists and the public. To learn more about this program, visit www.nationalartsprogram.org. 

To learn more about the City of Santa Rosa arts programs, visit srcity.org/arts.