A Global Stage for Young Visionaries

2025 California Young Artists

Join the California Young Artists Expo, a premier platform for young creatives to showcase their talent on an international stage. Hosted by California Sister Cities, this youth-led online event celebrates artistic expression that fosters global unity and positive change. 

📅 Submission Deadline: Accepting Entries Until May 15, 2025

📍 Event Date: May 31, 2025

🌎 Theme: Peace, Kindness & Cooperation

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Why Participate?

The California Young Artists Expo is an international platform that empowers young artists to share their vision with the world.

Hosted by California Sister Cities, this youth-led event encourages creativity and cultural exchange by showcasing artwork that reflects themes of peace, kindness, and cooperation.

This annual event welcomes submissions from talented young creators across the globe, offering them a prestigious opportunity to exhibit their work internationally.

Selected pieces will be displayed at Creative Space Akademeia 21 in Tokyo, Japan, providing artists with global exposure and recognition.

  • Gain Global Recognition – Your work could be showcased on an international stage.
  • Win Prestigious Awards – Multiple prizes, including cash awards up to $1,500.
  • Express Your Voice – Share powerful messages through art on critical topics like climate change, identity, and world peace.
  • Join a thriving community of young artists making an impact through art.

Expo Categories 2025

California Young Artists Expo Judging Panel

#1 Fabiola Kinder Califomia Sister Cities Art Connoisseur

#2 Pete Harrison Award-Winning Digital Artist Torquay, United Kingdom

California Young Artists Expo Organizing Committee Chairs

Kaitlin Briones

2024 California Young Artists Expo High School Chair (Santa Clara, Summit Denali High School)

Manaal Hasan

2024 California Young Artists Expo College Chair (Stevenson Ranch, CA - College of the Canyons)

Anthony Akira Al-Jamie, HS Chair

2023 California Young Artists Expo High School Chair (Anaheim, CA - Canyon High School)

Denmark Harris, College Chair

2023 California Young Artists Expo College Chair (Sacramento, CA - San Bernardino Valley College)

2024 Awards

Kotaro Nagasaki Art Award: $1,500

“Sunday Downtown” (Caroline Roxas: University of California Berkeley, Ridgewood , NJ)

Awarded by Kotaro Nagasaki, Governor of Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan

Given to a submission from the categories of Climate Change & Sustainability / My City, My Town / Racial & Gender Equity

Hiroshi Tasaka Art Award: $1,500

“Persona Salvation” (Maori Morioka: Nagoya Designer Academy, Aichi, Japan)

Awarded by Dr. Hiroshi Tasaka, Chancellor of The Akademeia 21st Century

Given to a submission from the categories of World Peace & Cooperation / Education / My Identity & Self Expression

Kotaro Nagasaki KOTODAMA Spirit of Language Award: $1,500

“Planting a Seed” (Fernanda Cotes Prata & Brooke Villegas, Contagem, Minas Gerais, Brazil)

Awarded to a college or university student by Kotaro Nagasaki, Governor of Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan

Hiroshi Tasaka KOTODAMA Spirit of Language Award: $1,500

Understanding (Tony Sakuma Canyon High School, Anaheim, CA)

Awarded to a high school student by Dr. Hiroshi Tasaka, Chancellor of The Akademeia 21st Century

The Emerging Young Filmmaker Award $100+

Tea Ceremony with Extraterrestrials (Minna Hosaka: Keio University, Japan)

$100 contributed by SCI SoCal Board Member Kathleen McCann

Selected by Panel of Judges

People’s Choice Awards

Submit Your Artwork & Inspire the World!

Be part of the 2025 California Young Artists Expo, where creativity meets global impact.

Submit your artwork by May 15, 2025, for a chance to win prestigious awards, showcase your talent on an international stage, and make a difference through art.

All young artists are welcome—whether you create paintings, digital art, photography, or mixed media.

Your art has the power to shape the future!

Kaitlin Briones

2024 California Young Artists Expo High School Chair (Santa Clara, Summit Denali High School)

Name: Kaitlin Briones
School: Summit Denali High School
City: Santa Clara, CA

Manaal Hasan

2024 California Young Artists Expo College Chair (Stevenson Ranch, CA – College of the Canyons)

Anthony Akira Al-Jamie, HS Chair

2023 California Young Artists Expo High School Chair (Anaheim, CA – Canyon High School) Click picture for message

I am excited to serve as the 2022-2023 California Young Artists Expo Founding High School Chair. This has been a great experience helping to build a statewide program for high school and college students to express themselves through art. We have received so many amazing pieces in all 6 categories. What I am learning through this experience is that all art is beautiful in its own unique way. So I hope that anyone who is hesitating to submit their art will just click “submit” because with every new submission, the California Young Artists Expo becomes just a bit more interesting than the day before and I hope you will share something of yours with us.

Denmark Harris, College Chair

2023 California Young Artists Expo College Chair (Sacramento, CA – San Bernardino Valley College) 

I am honored to serve as the 2022-2023 California Young Artists Expo Founding College Chair. I have always been extremely passionate about all mediums of art, which is why I jumped at the opportunity to review and appreciate all of the wonderful art pieces that our state’s high school and college students have to offer. I have looked at the art pieces from all six categories, and I must say that I am genuinely astonished by the level of talent that is on display. With that being said, artists do not have to be the most talented or most skilled to move others with their work. What makes an art piece great is its ability to speak to others; the range of emotions that it invokes in all of us. So to anyone who is doubting themselves, you should remember that your art doesn’t need to display the greatest amount of skill to have the most powerful message. Watering cans can make the flowers grow just as well as rain clouds. I am looking forward to participating in this event, and to looking at all of the submissions yet to come! I wish everyone much success and happiness in all your future endeavors. Believe in yourself. You got this!