Carson City, Nev. (May 8, 2025) — Carson High School Freshman Art Student Kyra Mulvihill was selected as a Nevada State Winner in the 2025 “Celebrate the West” art competition, hosted by the Western Governors’ Association.
Miss Mulvihill painted her award-winning piece as part of a watercolor unit in Art Foundations, a beginning art class taught by Ms. Adriane Wacker.
“I believe this is the first time anyone from Carson High School has won this award,” Wacker said. “I thought Kyra’s piece was so beautiful and felt it deserved to be entered into the competition.”
Mulvihill’s creativity, talent and unique perspective truly stood out among an incredible group of artists across the state.
As part of the awards submission, Mulvihill described her watercolor piece with the following:
“My watercolor landscape captures the quiet beauty of nature through soft washes and layered tones,” she said. “Inspired by serene open spaces, I explore light, movement and atmosphere to evoke a sense of peace and connection to the land. The fluidity of watercolor allows for spontaneity, echoing the organic rhythms found in the natural world. Each brushstroke reflects an emotional response, aiming to transport the viewer into a tranquil moment suspended in color and time.”
The “Celebrate the West” competition invites high school students from 19 Western states and three U.S. territories to submit original works inspired by their state’s culture, landscape, people or history. As a state winner, Kyra’s artwork will now be considered for the “People’s Choice Award.” Voting for the “People’s Choice Award” opens Friday, May 9, 2025. A link to vote will be posted on the Western Governors’ Foundation website.
ABOUT Carson City School District
Located in Nevada’s capital, Carson City School District offers public education to approximately 7,300 students throughout Carson City. The district includes 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 1 alternative high school and 1 comprehensive high school. Carson City School District boasts many successes including impressive graduation rates, strict safety measures, programs for gifted students and advanced-placement classes, among several others. For more information, visitcarsoncityschools.com.
