City of Slidell Announces Winners of the 35th Annual Salad Days Juried Exhibition of Student Art
On Friday, March 27, 2026, student artists from across St. Tammany Parish were joined by family and friends in the George Dunbar Gallery at the Slidell Cultural Center for the opening reception and awards ceremony of the 35th annual Salad Days Juried Exhibition of Student Art.
Slidell Mayor Randy Fandal with Joshua Wichterich, Salad Days 2026 Juror
“Dania and I were blown away by the creativity and talent on display showcasing exceptional young artists from all over St. Tammany Parish!” said Slidell Mayor Fandal. “Thank you to Joshua Wichterich for serving as the juror and making some very difficult decisions. And a special thanks to all the student artists and their parents and art teachers who support them.”
This year’s call for artist for Salad Days drew a significant number of entries, with 80 artists submitting a total of 174 works. Due to limited gallery space, only roughly 30 percent of the entries submitted were selected for the final exhibition.
The 2026 juror was Joshua B. Wichterich, an award-winning artist, illustrator, author, and founder of Blue Wing Press. Wichterich has illustrated more than 60 children’s books, and his work has been featured in numerous City of Slidell exhibitions, including the 2024 show All in the Family. He was also recently selected as the White Linen 2025 Poster Artist.
A dedicated advocate for the arts and youth, Wichterich frequently contributes to the Children’s Museum of St. Tammany. He previously collaborated with the museum and local students on a butterfly art installation that debuted in 2025. Deeply involved in the community, he has served as a judge for the Louisiana Wildfowl Carvers and Collectors Guild and is a member of the Rotary Club of Slidell, the Ozone Camellia Club, and the Leadership Northshore Class of 2026.
“These are the future artists and leaders of Slidell. St. Tammany Parish is filled with amazingly talented youths,” said Wichterich. “Growing up in Slidell, I was once standing in the shoes of these young artists. I hold immense respect for their courage, tenacity, and talent. It was an honor to be a juror for Salad Days and stand as an artist along with them.”
The exhibition features works from a diverse group of talented students, including: Aaliyah Atamanyuk, Lalana Atkinson, Nolee Autin, Reese Benedic, Preston Berel, Mylah Boston, LaVetra Brown, Frances Case, Ella Grace Chadwick, Laura Chin, Emma D’ Antoni, Jack Doss, Anne Ekenta, Isabel Farry, Alyssa Gaudet, Laurelyn Glass, Jillian Grimley, Lilly Claire Hatt, Charlotte Hill, Shannon Hoitenga, Andie Ingraham, Jolie Rae Jacob, Brynleigh Ann Jones, Chloe Landry, Dylan Landry, Olivia Loomis, Ashley Mannino, Kinzly McNeese, Violet Navarro, Ruby Paganuzzi, Adrian Palermo, Christian Pastoret, Grace Roberts, Max Roth, Kimber Rush, Ella Ryan, Jacob Sharp, Madison Silcox, Alexis Smith, Gabrielle “Matt” Spadoni, Hadley Stroud, Clara Tullis, Harriet Wells, Olivia Yi, and Madeline Zeringue.
Entries were divided into four age categories, with awards presented for first, second, and third place, along with honorable mentions:
Category A (Ages 5–8)
• 1st Place: Jolie Rae Jacob, “Walks with Marty”
• 2nd Place: Frances Case, “Moonlight”
• 3rd Place: Preston Berel, “Jet”
• Honorable Mention: Jolie Rae Jacob, “Sea Turtle’s Garden”
• Honorable Mention: Jack Doss, “The Forest Deer”
From L to R: Frances Case, Joshua Wichterich, Jack Doss, Jolie Rae Jacob, Mayor Fandal, Preston Berel
Category B (Ages 9–11)
• 1st Place: Ruby Paganuzzi, “A Day At Sea”
• 2nd Place: Laura Chin, “Orange Dreamsicle”
• 3rd Place: Christian Pastoret, “Suspicious Pelican”
• Honorable Mention: Lilly Claire Hatt, “Midnight Bloom”
• Honorable Mention: Ruby Paganuzzi, “Rainbow City”
From L to R: Ruby Paganuzzi, Joshua Wichterich, Lily Claire Hatt, Mayor Fandal, Christian Pastoret
Category C (Ages 12–14)
• 1st Place: Shannon Hoitenga, “Lotus Dream”
• 2nd Place: Ashley Mannino, “Dream a Dream”
• 3rd Place: Ella Grace Chadwick, “My…Mom”
• Honorable Mention: LaVetra Brown, “Fish”
• Honorable Mention: Ashley Mannino, “Home, Sweet Home”
• Honorable Mention: Olivia Loomis, “Sunning Wood Duck”
From L to R: Ella Grace Chadwick, Joshua Wichterich, Shannon Hoitenga, Mayor Fandal, Olivia Loomis, Asley Mannino
Category D (Ages 15–19)
• 1st Place: Jillian Grimley, “Waiter”
• 2nd Place: Violet Navarro, “A Lovely Long Bridge”
• 3rd Place: Andie Ingraham, “Childhood Memories”
• Honorable Mention: Chloe Landry, “Envy”
• Honorable Mention: Jillian Grimley, “Legs”
• Honorable Mention: Alexis Smith, “Cathedral”
• Honorable Mention: Aaliyah Atamanyuk, “Mirror, Mirror On the Wall”
• Honorable Mention: Jacob Sharp, “Hecatomb of Terror”
From L to R: Max Roth, Grace Roberts, Aaliyah Atamanyuk, Lalana Atkinson, Mylah Boston, Joshua Wichterich, Emma D’Antoni, Mayor Fandal, Charlotte Hill, Isabel Farry, Andie Ingraham, Chloe Landry
The George Dunbar Gallery is located inside the Slidell Cultural Center at 2055 Second Street, inside City Hall. Gallery hours are by appointment only, Monday through Thursday, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. or by special request. Admission is free, and same-day appointments are often available. To schedule a tour, please call the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375.
