Teacher Monica McDaniel and senior Tai Fui stand next to a winning piece, painted by Rosemary Castaneda at Fui’s art show. 

BIGGS, CA (MPG) - A senior project at Biggs High School turned into the campus’s first student-led art show, giving young artists a chance to display their work and spark renewed interest in the arts.

Senior Tai Fui organized the show, curating roughly 20 pieces into a small gallery with help from art teacher and advisor Monica McDaniel.

The exhibit centered on a fantasy theme, with student submissions featuring mermaids, dragons and armored knights.

“I think it’s just such a broad area … people can truly make something that represents them,” Fui said.

McDaniel said she hopes the event becomes an annual tradition.

Three winners were chosen to receive an award and gift card. Colby Kaelin, seen here with her entry, was one of the three winners chosen.

“We’re really hoping it will keep going and gain momentum,” she said. “That people will see their art displayed and get excited about it.”

She added that art programs are still reestablishing themselves on campus.

“Art is so new to coming back to Biggs, so we just mostly put a spotlight on it,” McDaniel said.

Fui said his interest in art began early, influenced by both of his parents.

“I have been around art basically my whole life,” he said. “My dad used to love to sketch, my mom loved drawing, and throughout my whole life, I love to just … paint.”

Families browsed the Biggs Art Show, organized as a senior project by Tai Fui.

McDaniel said Fui drew inspiration from attending an exhibit at the Chico Art Center, which helped shape his senior project.

Rather than emphasize competition, organizers focused on participation. Three equal prizes of $25 were awarded, along with “First Annual Biggs Art Show” recognition.

Winners included Rosemary Castaneda for a mermaid painting, Liam Cramer for a pen-and-ink dragon and Colby Kaelin for a black-and-white sketch of an armored knight.

Both Fui and McDaniel said they hope the show encourages more students to get involved in art and helps rebuild interest in creative programs at Biggs High.