Los Altos High student earns People’s Choice award for artwork
‘Dreamscape’ winners
Los Altos High School sophomore Aundy Pekelsma was among the winners in ArtNow 2025, the annual juried art show for high school artists produced by New Museum Los Gatos, aka NUMU. Pekelsma’s acrylic painting “Don’t Touch Me” won the People’s Choice award.
In total, NUMU awarded over $10,000 in cash prizes, scholarships, and University Art gift certificates at a May 3 ceremony. Other winning Los Altos High students included senior Yokuyo Guo, whose digital illustration “Ethereal Nightmare” took second place in the digital art category; senior Joyce Ren, who earned a Judges’ Recognition award for “Anonymous,” a work done with color pencil on paper; and Roxanne Howard and Ricardo Vazquez, who won first and second place, respectively, in the photography category for their digital photos “Two Selves, True Selves” and “Divine Life.”
Two Palo Alto High School students received awards at the ceremony Senior Ivan Sandler’s “Portrait of a Dreamer” earned a Judges’ Recognition award in the video/animation category, while junior Dorian Luo’s “Spilling Gold” took first in mixed media. Gunn High School student Hana Bae won first place in the drawing category for “Roots,” her ink and watercolor work.
The ArtNow exhibit features works by 83 students from across Santa Clara County, all on the theme of “Dreamscapes.” It’s on view at the museum, located at 106 E. Main St. in Los Gatos, through July 20.