An exciting exhibition titled "Centered" is set to captivate visitors at the C3 Gallery, located at 1845 Strand Way. This event will take place on Tuesday, April 29, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM. Featuring over 125 works of art created by students, including three-dimensional pieces, this showcase highlights the talents of young artists from Coronado School of the Arts (CoSA). Among the attractions is a special segment known as the "Flashback," which offers graduating seniors an opportunity to revisit and display their favorite creations from their four-year journey. The opening reception will occur in the Nautilus Room, welcoming all with complimentary refreshments.

The "Flashback" theme allows senior students to reflect on their artistic development throughout their time at CoSA. Karrie Jackson, Chair of the Visual Arts Conservatory, explained that this theme resonates well with the seniors as it encourages them to choose their preferred works from over the years. Through this process, they demonstrate significant growth in technical skill and creativity, particularly evident in portrait work. For instance, Ben Byars, one of the graduating seniors, expressed his passion for portraits, noting that experimenting with different styles and compositions has been a highlight of his artistic journey. He hopes to continue exploring these techniques in the future.

This year marks a pivotal moment for CoSA Visual Arts, as the conservatory expands its capacity after maintaining a waitlist for more than a decade. According to Jackson, this expansion reflects the school's commitment to nurturing creativity rather than fostering competition among students. She emphasized her gratitude for the increased space and community available to enthusiastic and skilled student artists, ensuring they have the resources necessary to develop their interests fully.

CoSA stands out as San Diego County's leading public arts conservatory, offering a rigorous pre-professional arts education to approximately 200 scholar-artists in grades 9 through 12. Students participate in a competitive application/audition process to gain admission into Coronado High School, which ranks nationally. Every school day includes extensive instruction tailored to each student’s specialty within six distinct conservatories, ranging from classical dance to digital arts and visual arts. The curriculum, crafted by professional artist-educators, immerses students deeply in their chosen field.

The upcoming exhibition not only celebrates the achievements of current students but also underscores CoSA's dedication to fostering creativity and providing a supportive environment for young artists. With events held at the prestigious Coronado Performing Arts Center, the institution continues to thrive thanks to contributions from the CoSA Foundation. Visitors are encouraged to experience the vibrant world of student artistry firsthand while supporting ongoing educational initiatives in the arts.