The Chagrin Falls Schools community gathered April 16-19, to celebrate student creativity and achievement at the annual Spring Art Show, held at the Hamlet Village Atrium. The multi-day event featured artwork from Chagrin Falls Middle School and High School students and highlighted the depth and diversity of the district’s visual arts programs.
Families, staff, and community members attended throughout the weekend, with a special Grandparents Day event offering an opportunity for extended family members to experience the exhibit together. The show opened with an awards ceremony and live performance by the Chagrin Falls High School Jazz Band, creating a vibrant and celebratory atmosphere.
Students were recognized across a wide range of categories, with several earning top distinctions. Haley Felgar received the Hamlet Best in Show honor, while Layla Hauserman and Patrick Rodriguez earned the Hamlet High School Gold and Silver awards, respectively. Dane Sellars was recognized with the Board of Education Award, and Zack Huey received both a Valley Art Center Award and recognition from the Chagrin Falls Village Council.
Additional honors highlighted excellence in specific artistic disciplines. Finn Lax and Greyson Chess were named Outstanding Photography recipients, while Anthony Lauer and Claire Rubin were recognized as Outstanding 2-D Artists. Caleb Zelch and Katie Rosner earned Outstanding 3-D Artist honors. Principal’s Awards were presented to Sophia Link (high school) and Averie Stuart (middle school), recognizing their exceptional contributions.
Students also earned recognition beyond the district level. Owen Stull was named among the Top 25 in the Ohio Governor’s Art Exhibition, while Katie Rosner, Ari Zimmerman, and Caleb Zelch were recognized in the Top 300. In the Scholastic Art Awards, Ari Zimmerman and Taerek Anderson received Gold Keys, with additional Silver Key and Honorable Mention honors awarded to several Chagrin Falls students.
The show also celebrated graduating seniors pursuing the arts at the collegiate level, including students continuing studies in fields such as illustration, architecture, glass engineering, and art therapy.
The event was made possible through a collaborative effort involving the Chagrin Falls Schools Art Department, PTO, community partners, and numerous volunteers. Special thanks were extended to the residents and leadership of Hamlet Village for hosting the event, as well as to district staff and community organizations who supported judging, setup, and promotion.
2026 Spring Art Show – Full List of Award Winners
Major Awards
Valley Art Center Awards: Ellie Plant, Zack Huey
Hamlet Best in Show: Haley Felgar
Hamlet High School Gold: Layla Hauserman
Hamlet High School Silver: Patrick Rodriguez
Chagrin Falls Village Council Award: Zack Huey
Board of Education Award: Dane Sellars
PTO Awards
Teagan Larkin, Dem Snyder, Ari Zimmerman, Chloe Nightwine
Special Recognition Awards
Outstanding Photography: Finn Lax, Greyson Chess
Outstanding 2-D Artists: Anthony Lauer, Claire Rubin
Outstanding 3-D Artists: Caleb Zelch, Katie Rosner
High School Principal’s Award: Sophia Link
Middle School Principal’s Award: Averie Stuart
Gold Awards
High School Gold Awards
Dem Snyder
Mackenzie Verderber
Greyson Chess
Oliver Saltz
Charlotte Clark
Layla Hauserman
James Wagner
Sophia Link
Jacob Kay
Molly Nightwine
Natalie Zalud (2)
Dane Sellars
Chloe Nightwine
Katie Rosner (2)
Miles Nesbitt
Emily Gasser
Lauren Eickhoff
Wyatt Corto
Halle Klusmann
Avery Dietzel
Brigitte Edwards
Mae Livingston (2)
James Wagner
Mason Phillips
Claire Rubin (2)
Emma Lagemann
Ella Felgar (2)
Owen Stull (2)
Finn Lax
Ari Zimmerman
Marley McJennett
Kate Mckenna
Caleb Zelch
Middle School Gold Awards
Isabel Rogalski (4)
Wrenn Warren
Jade Borger
Evelyn Klusmann
Elizabeth Plant (2)
Claire Beatty (2)
Saryn De La Mare (4)
Leo Fink (4)
Julia McElyea
State & National Recognition
Ohio Governor’s Art Exhibition
Top 25: Owen Stull
Top 300: Katie Rosner, Ari Zimmerman, Caleb Zelch
Scholastic Art Awards (High School)
Gold Keys: Ari Zimmerman, Taerek Anderson
Silver Keys: Ari Zimmerman, Katie Rosner, Oliver Saltz
Honorable Mention: Ari Zimmerman (3)