The 58th annual Space Coast Art Festival in Viera on Oct. 14 and 15 showcased student and professional art in competition and display. Art teacher Jelena Robbins said she and her students were excited to participate. 

“It’s a chance for us to really showcase our students’ abilities and creative talent,” Robbins said. “It’s a lot of fun. The students [came], the families [came] and just a lot of art teachers [were] there, and regular people from the community [were] there just to be in awe of everybody’s art.”

The festival displays 2-D and 3-D art from students to professional artists. The school’s art students have been participating and competing in the Space Coast Art Festival for more than 20 years. 

“I have been doing it ever since we’ve had the opportunity to do it, ever since I started teaching here,” digital art teacher James Finch said. “I like that it’s so convenient and local for everybody. I’ve gone to other shows that are really nice, but if they’re a little far away, and I don’t always get student participation.” 

Robbins had approximately 50 pieces of art entered into the competition, including three from senior and AP art student Jadyn Milo.

“It’s really nice to go to it because you can see what other students are doing,” Milo said. “Not just in your school, but also you get to see what other art programs are doing.”

Robbins said she has high praises for this year’s pieces from high school and middle school students. 

“I think this year I was surprised at the amazing quality of work from even the middle schoolers, not just the high schoolers,” Robbins said. “Their attention to detail, their craftsmanship and just their work ethic has been really amazing.” 

West Shore students have won in the past. 

“We really do well in these contests,” Robbins said. “Last year, one of our students got second place, and I think we got third place in something.”

By Keeley Sorgenfrei and Eric Zhang