Kindergarten Artists Selected for National Art Education Association Convention

American Heritage Schools, Palm Beach Campus, recently celebrated a significant milestone in its Lower School Art Program. Three kindergarten students earned the honor of having their original pieces selected for the National Art Education Association (NAEA) Convention in Chicago. This premier event stands as the largest gathering of visual arts education professionals in the world, and our young students represented the school on a national stage.

The featured artwork resulted from a specialized classroom lesson focused on the work of Bisa Butler, an internationally renowned fiber artist and the keynote speaker for the 2026 convention. Under the guidance of art teacher Lisa Pohl, students explored identity, color, and storytelling through textile-inspired paper crafts.

The following Kindergarten artists had their work featured in a professional slideshow:

• Sophia Arias-Duval (Personally selected by artist Bisa Butler)
• Emma Hejazi
• Mila Weisbord

One of the most notable achievements of the event was that Sophia Arias-Duval’s piece was personally chosen by Bisa Butler herself. This recognition from a professional artist of such high caliber is a rare honor for students at the kindergarten level.

The project was part of the "Art Like Bisa" student exhibit, a collaborative effort between Scholastic Art, the NAEA, and Artsonia. By engaging with the six levels of creative development, our students moved beyond simple drawing to understand complex portraiture and the transformative power of fiber art.

Participation in national exhibits allows our youngest learners to see their work as part of a larger professional community. The Palm Beach campus remains dedicated to providing these high-level opportunities, helping students build confidence and a lifelong appreciation for the visual arts.