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May 1, 2025 – Sonoma, CA – The City of Sonoma’s Cultural and Fine Arts Commission (CFAC) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Student Creative Artist Award, celebrating outstanding artistic achievement by local high school students residing within the Sonoma Valley Unified School District boundaries.
After a competitive application and interview process, the Commission awarded:
- Teagan Rhodes – $2,000 Student Creative Artist Award for excellence in Video/Multimedia Arts.
- Margaret (Maggie) Brown – $500 Merit Award for work in Visual Arts.
- Tallulah Kimball – $200 Merit Award for contributions in Musical Theater.
This year, the City received 13 submissions from students attending a range of schools including Sonoma Valley High School, Credo High School, Sonoma Academy, and Marin School of the Arts. Applicants submitted work across a wide variety of disciplines, including visual art, photography, multimedia, creative writing, poetry, music, and musical theater.
Reflecting on the applicants’ work and interviews, Mayor Patricia Farrar-Rivas remarked, “Each of these students represents the incredible creativity and depth that exists within our community. Their work, their perspective, and their commitment to artistic exploration are truly inspiring. They give us hope for the future.”
CFAC Chair Connie Schlelein added, “The quality of submissions and the maturity displayed by each student were truly inspiring. It speaks not only to their dedication but also to the excellence of the arts educators and programs that have nurtured their creative development. It was an honor for the Commission to experience their work firsthand.”
The Student Creative Artist Award program, founded in 1988, has awarded more than $60,000 to over 80 students. It is designed to support Sonoma Valley youth as they pursue their creative education and expression. More information about the program is available at www.sonomacity.org/student-creative-artist-award.
The top award recipient, Teagan Rhodes, demonstrated her passion for storytelling through her video submission, “The Pomegranate Heart.” As Teagan described in her artist statement, “I hope to continue refining and enhancing my ability to create multi-meaning films that encourage people to think and to see themselves in art.”
Sonoma City Council will recognize the student artists and present the awards at a future meeting. Recordings of the student interviews, conducted during the CFAC meetings on April 15 and April 22, are available for viewing on the City’s YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UChZjUrg2rNLYxTgQHhFy-Tg/videos.
Additional funding for this year’s awards was made possible through generous donations raised at the 2025 Treasure Artist Reception honoring Margaret Hatcher, allowing the Commission to recognize multiple students for their exceptional creative work.
The Cultural and Fine Arts Commission extends its sincere appreciation to all who participated. Students who are juniors are encouraged to reapply next year, and the Commission is also exploring opportunities to showcase the work of all applicants later this year.
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Media Contact:
Sarah Tracy, Senior Management Analyst & Public Information Officer
Phone: (707) 933-2215
Email: stracy@sonomacity.org
Photos of Award Recipients:
