Walking through the Muckenthaler Cultural Center doors, visitors were greeted by a life-size handmade costume of a plant creature — a creation by Fullerton Union High School students Isabella Savage and Eadyn Ochoa.

Savage and Ochoa’s piece was among multiple pieces on display as the Muckenthaler featured artwork from students in the Fullerton Joint Union High School District (FJUHSD) from January 23 to February 9.

Spanning three rooms, pieces were sourced from all types of mediums, including textiles, photography, paint, ceramics, and even repurposed products.

The artwork allowed for discourse of strong, hard-hitting issues such as political and societal critiques, identity, and introspection, while also offering pieces that provided an escape into a whimsical and fantasy realm.

Each piece included a plaque that explained the source of the idea, the materials used, and the creative process — allowing visitors to gain insight into the artists’ imagination.

The opportunity to display works at the Muckenthaler not only provides students with a chance to add to their portfolios but also gives these artists a moment to shine in the limelight. It gives local young artists a platform through which their creations can be engaged by others throughout the community.

This annual exhibition features the work of 100 talented high school stu- dents from La Habra, Fullerton, Troy, Sunny Hills, Sonora, Buena Park, La Vista, and La Sierra. The collection was judged by the students’ own art teachers and is comprised of a variety of mediums.