Young Art: Nurture and Nature

April 5–May 18, 2025   For nearly a century, Young Art, the longest-running program in The San Diego Museum of […]

April 5–May 18, 2025

For nearly a century, Young Art, the longest-running program in The San Diego Museum of Art’s history, has celebrated the creative voices of youth artists. This forty-eighth biennial exhibition marks an exciting new chapter as it merges with the strong tradition of the Youth Exhibition from the Museum of Photographic Arts (now MOPA@SDMA), bringing together and expanding these two programs under the Young Art name. This historic union offers an opportunity for kindergarten through twelfth-grade artists across the San Diego and Tijuana regions to share their perspectives through art with the community.

Students responded to the theme of Nurture and Nature with thoughtful interpretations that explore the interconnectivity between people, animals, and the environment. Using a variety of media such as photography, sculpture, painting, and drawing, these works convey the emotional impact of changes and growth in both the artists’ personal lives and the greater natural world.

The San Diego Museum of Art extends its gratitude to the students, educators, parents, guardians, and caregivers whose participation helped bring this exhibition to life.

Featured at Top: Kimia Pousti, grade 6, Nurture Nature (detail), 2025. Mixed media. Collection of the artist. © Kimia Pousti
Featured: Kimia Pousti, grade 6, Nurture Nature, 2025. Mixed media. Collection of the artist. © Kimia Pousti | Kenji Puraty, grade 12, Sunrise Ridge, 2025. Photograph. Collection of the artist. © Kenji Puraty | Merle King-Wiese, grade 11, Crossing, 2025. Mixed media. Collection of the artist. © Merle King-Wiese | Stella Quinn, grade 9, The Hands that Guide You, 2025. Photograph. Collection of the artist. © Stella Quinn | Brandon Del Toro, grade 12, Despite My Environment 1, 2025. Photograph. Collection of the artist. © Brandon Del Toro | Greta Garretson, grade 4, Piggybacking on a Succulent, 2025. Oil pastel. Collection of the artist. © Greta Garretson | Lily Velador, grade 11, Lanterns, 2025. Graphite. Collection of the artist. © Lily Velador | Aliyana Hartzog, grade 12, Sunshine, 2025. Acrylic. Collection of the artist. © Aliyana Hartzog | Eva Brennan, grade 7, Castaway, 2025. Mixed media. Collection of the artist. © Eva Brennan