The Voyagers Art Student Invitational 2026 Exhibition Opening Reception & Awards Ceremony at the Norco College Art Gallery celebrated a dynamic range of student work across painting, drawing, sculpture, design, and zines, highlighting both technical skill and conceptual depth. Gallery Director Michelle Ramin opened the event with remarks recognizing the tremendous effort behind the exhibition, noting that selection into the show itself is a significant achievement given the volume of student work reviewed by faculty each year.
The exhibition, curated in collaboration with Norco College art faculty and gallery staff, features work selected from across multiple courses and disciplines, showcasing emerging artists from throughout the program. Faculty emphasized the importance of experimentation, persistence, and personal voice in student work, underscoring the role of the arts in shaping critical thinking and creative expression.
Award Recipients
This year’s awards recognized exceptional achievement across multiple media:
Exceptional Sculpture Award
Maya Galvan, “Is it obvious?"
Exceptional Painting Award
Paige Alsborg, “Bath Water”
Exceptional Drawing Award
Cameryn Barnes, “Bag Lady”
Exceptional Zine Award
Isabel Barney “Demand Performance”
Curator’s Choice Award
Perla Verduzco, “No me gusta veggies”
Outstanding Artist Award
Natalie Peralta for her 4 works:
“Surreal Days: Self-Portrait”
“Bending Reality”
“A Missing Fragment”
“Leftovers: the Octucantopus” (pictured)
Presidential Purchase Award
Victoria Henry, “The Last Kiss of a Forget-Me-Not”
The Presidential Purchase Award, presented by Vice President of Academic Affairs Quinton B. Miller on behalf of President Monica Green, Ed.D., recognizes a standout work selected for permanent acquisition into the college’s art collection. This year’s award went to Victoria Henry, whose work reflects deeply personal themes tied to memory and loss. The piece will be displayed in the President’s office for one year before joining the college’s permanent collection.
Throughout the ceremony, faculty highlighted student growth across disciplines and celebrated the range of materials and ideas represented in the exhibition, from conceptual zines and figurative drawing to mixed-media sculpture and performance-based work. The Outstanding Artist Award, in particular, recognized Natalie Nicole Peralta's multidisciplinary practice, with four works included across ceramics, wire sculpture, papier-mâché, and painting.
Faculty and staff also acknowledged the collaborative effort behind the exhibition, thanking art faculty, gallery assistants, student workers, and supporters who helped install and support the show. The Art Club and the student community were recognized for their ongoing engagement and contributions to the program's vibrancy.
The reception concluded with remarks emphasizing the broader significance of student art practice. Speakers encouraged students to continue developing their voices, noting that their perspectives are essential and contribute meaningfully to both the campus and broader community.
The Voyagers Art Student Invitational 2026 highlights the creativity, dedication, and emerging talent within the Norco College art program. The exhibition remains on view in the Norco College Art Gallery through June 5.
For more information, visit https://norcocollege.edu/art/.