The Orange County Arts Council will host its 12th Annual “Arts Build Confidence” student arts showcase on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at the Middletown Galleria Mall from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A preview of high school musicals will also take place from 12 to 5 pm in the center court (in front of JC Penney). Admission is free.

Orange County high schools will display their students’ artwork on panels. These works include oils, watercolors, mixed media, digital art and photography. Visitors to the show will be invited to participate in a “People’s Choice” competition to select a favorite work. Those pieces receiving the top three votes will be recognized for this achievement at 4:00 pm.

Student artwork from Orange County elementary and middle schools (Grades K-8) will be on display in a media slideshow throughout the day. Two video monitors will present the works near the staircase in the center court, adjacent to the high school pieces.

“The talent pool in Orange County continues to grow stronger,” says Todd Hulet, Orange County Arts Council’s Executive Director. “We are excited to provide the opportunity for the public to come see a small sampling of the young Arts talent in our own community, which comes with the opportunity to say, ‘I saw them when.’ These are the artists of our future and the Arts Build Confidence Showcase is an exciting step at the beginning of many incredible careers.”

A number of high schools will also be offering previews of their upcoming spring musicals. Valley Central will offer a preview of Curtains: School Edition from 12:15 to 1 p.m. Pine Bush will present a preview of their upcoming production of Rent, from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.

For the latest information regarding the Arts Build Confidence Student Arts Showcase, please visit their website at ocartscouncil.org.