On Friday, March 21, 2025, student artists from around St. Tammany Parish were joined by family and friends in the George Dunbar Gallery in the Slidell Cultural Center at City Hall for the opening reception and award ceremony for the 34th annual Salad Days Juried Exhibition of Student Art.
“As I walked through the George Dunbar Gallery viewing the artwork, I was impressed by the quality and creativity on display,” said Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert. “Slidell and St. Tammany Parish have some amazingly talented artists, and these students have demonstrated artistic abilities well beyond their years. This exhibit not only showcases their talent but also reflects the strong arts education programs in our schools.”
Mayor Borchert with Lily Claire Hatt
This year’s juror is Charlotte Collins, a lifelong artist and educator whose passion for creative expression, education, and community enrichment has defined her career. With a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from Memphis College of Art, Charlotte has combined her talents as an artist, professor, and advocate for the arts. Her professional achievements include internationally published articles, presentations on art history and education, and teaching abroad. A dedicated member of the Slidell community, Charlotte has served as Director of Non-Credit Programs at Southeastern Louisiana University, bringing educational opportunities to learners of all ages. As Director of the Olde Towne Arts Center and founder of the Krewe of Mona Lisa and MoonPie, she has fostered a deep appreciation for the arts and local culture.
The exhibition features works from a diverse group of talented young artists including Jane Alphonse, Aaliyah Atamanyuk, Nolee Autin, Taylor Bordelon, Hanna Bradley, Parker Brennan, Tyson Bright, Laura Chin, Brynn Fontana, David Goleman, Harper Hakin, Lilly Claire Hatt, Shannon Hoitenga, Sydney Hough, Chloe Landry, Dylan Landry, Olivia Loomis, Ashley Mannino, RJ Mora, Emerald O’Toole, Catherine Owen, Ruby Paganuzzi, Christian Pastoret, Henry Patience, Edyn Qualls, Morgan Roberts, Salma Shahid, Adah Singleton, Ella Steele, Autumn Turner, Hattie Wells, and Olivia Yi. Each artist brings their unique perspective and creative vision to this remarkable showcase of student artists. Salad Days entries are divided into four age categories. First, second, third and honorable mentions were awarded in each category.
Ashley Mannino
Category A (Ages 5–8)
- 1st Place: Lilly Claire Hatt, “Ballet in Color”
- 2nd Place: Emerald O’Toole, “Birds of a Feather”
- 3rd Place: Tyson Bright, “Christmas Tree”
Honorable Mentions:
- Tyson Bright, “Pumpkin”
- Lilly Claire Hatt, “Golden Wings”
Category B (Ages 9–11)
- 1st Place: Christian Pastoret, “Duckcano”
- 2nd Place: Autumn Turner, “Jenna Ortega”
- 3rd Place: Autumn Turner, “On the Look Out!”
Honorable Mentions:
- Ruby Paganuzzi, “Black and White Dog”
- Dylan Landry, “Magnolia”
- Nolee Autin, “Sunset on Alligator Lane”
Category C (Ages 12–14)
- 1st Place: Aaliyah Atamanyuk, “Fred”
- 2nd Place: Ashley Mannino, “Dig In”
- 3rd Place: Aaliyah Atamanyuk, “Sound of Movement”
Christian Pastoret
Honorable Mentions:
- Ashley Mannino, “Selfie Time”
- Olivia Yi, “Blue Winged Fairy”
- Harper Hakin, “Baby Opossum”
- Aaliyah Atamanyuk, “Light My Fire”
Category D (Ages 15–19)
- 1st Place: Hanna Bradley, “They are dying to get in here”
- 2nd Place: Ella Steele, “The Cleansing”
- 3rd Place: Jane Alphonse, “The Beauty of Hummingbirds”
Honorable Mentions:
- Brynn Fontana, “Entombed”
- RJ Mora, “Stalkers”
- Catherine Owen, “Limes”
- Sydney Hough, “Vulpecula”
- Jane Alphonse, “Flower Field”
The Slidell Cultural Center is located at 2055 Second Street inside Slidell City Hall. Gallery hours are by appointment only, Monday–Thursday, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.. Admission is free, and same-day appointments are available. Please call the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375 to schedule your tour.
