MEEKER | Bathed in sunlight streaming through the tall windows of Streamline Realty, the space became more than just a place of business — it was a vibrant pop-up gallery, alive with color, texture and imagination. Each piece on display stood as a testament to the creative spirit of Meeker High School’s young artists.
For the fourth consecutive year, Streamline Realty owner Suzan Pelloni hosted the annual Meeker High School Art Show at her downtown office in the town of Meeker Colorado.
“When I was remodeling this building, I didn’t have any plans for events,” Pelloni said. “But this space has lent itself so well to involving the public. I do the coffee talk, the art show, and we have root beer floats for the Fourth of July. Just being on the corner of downtown, I really wanted it to feel like an open-door place that brings the public in.”
Pelloni said she wanted to break away from the traditional perception of a real estate office.
“A lot of times, real estate offices don’t get much engagement unless you’re buying or selling a house,” she said with a laugh. “I just really wanted to debunk that and have people come in and enjoy the building for what it is.”
Each year, the show has taken on a different look and feel depending on the types of artwork students create.
“One year we had an entire kitchen countertop covered with ceramics,” Pelloni said. “This year is a little different — the Empty Bowls program has been so successful that they didn’t have as many ceramics for the show. So every year the types of art and level of involvement vary.”
This year, organizers added new elements to enhance the experience, including a scavenger hunt to encourage more engagement.
“We’re learning each year,” Pelloni said. “This is the first year we’re doing a scavenger hunt. We’re trying to make it more of a community event where people can take their time and really enjoy the art. We don’t have many art shows, so it’s special.”
The show has drawn a wide range of visitors, according to Pelloni.
“Some are family members, others are just people in the community who appreciate art,” she said. “It’s always fun to see what wins the People’s Choice award — everyone connects with something different. It’s really unique to watch people find a piece they love.”
This year also marked the first time elementary school students visited the show, something Pelloni said she was thrilled about.
“I really enjoy seeing the younger kids get involved because they’re the future of our art program,” she said. “It’s also great to hear adults reflect on how it reminds them of when they used to do art — or wish they had.”
Meeker High School art teacher Ben Quinn said this year’s show featured more than 300 pieces.
“We tried to include at least one piece from every student who participated in the high school art program,” Quinn said. “We also had entries from the woodshop and the fashion design department.”
One standout woodshop project was a group of wooden reindeer created by sophomore Brooklyn Kirkpatrick, which placed third overall in the woodshop category. Shop teacher Zach Clatterbaugh said students design their projects based on personal interest within a set of creative challenges.
“Student project selection is based on their interests within the guidelines of a project that challenges their skill set while still being doable in one semester,” Clatterbaugh said.
The fashion design department also contributed, with instructor Brenda Hummel helping guide students through the design process from concept to completion.
Among the top visual art winners was Brooklynn Nielsen, who took first place with a detailed drawing of Books the Cat, the longtime feline resident of the Meeker library who recently passed away.
“My inspiration was growing up with Books. He’s been part of my life for as long as I can remember,” Nielsen said. “He looked so peaceful sunbathing in the afternoon light, I couldn’t resist capturing that moment. I spent about 15 to 20 hours over three weeks on the piece.”
Senior Gabriel N. Cardile also received first-place honors for his linoleum block print which featured Lady Justice on a Chessboard.
“The inspiration came from my belief that the justice system can be easily manipulated, like a chess piece,” Cardile said. “The biggest challenge was creating the actual image I would carve. It took me about two weeks to finish.”
Another standout piece was Hailey Cox’s This Old Cowboy, which also earned first-place recognition.
“The amount of detail in the reference photo inspired me to push my limits,” Cox said. “It reminded me of small-town, rural Meeker, Colorado. I worked on it for about three months, including time over spring break. Seeing my artwork displayed publicly — even reaching the Denver Art Museum — has been an incredible honor.”
Brynna Tafoya also contributed a well-received colored pencil drawing of a bear, inspired by her family’s first encounter with one after moving to Meeker on Mother’s Day.
“My piece was inspired by Meeker’s wildlife. I wanted to capture the movement and beauty of the landscape,” Tafoya said. “Having my work displayed in a public business is meaningful. I hope it resonates with people and brings something special to the space.”
Quinn emphasized how much the department values the opportunity to showcase student work.
“I’m incredibly proud of our students and their hard work,” Quinn said. “We love being able to show the community what our students are capable of.”
He also thanked Pelloni and her team at Streamline Realty for their continued support.
“Suzan and the Streamline team have been amazing, not only providing the space but also helping organize the People’s Choice award and the scavenger hunt,” Quinn said. “We were excited to welcome elementary students this year for field trips to view the art.”
The Meeker High School Art Show will remain open through the end of the week. Community members can still visit and vote in the People’s Choice competition, with voting open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Friday. Donations are welcome and will support the People’s Choice reception, which is scheduled to be announced next Monday.
Whether it’s a painted portrait, a handcrafted wood project or a sketch inspired by a small-town icon, the Meeker High School Art Show is more than an exhibit — it’s a celebration of youth expression, community support and the power of art to bring people together.
