The art of noticing early
A Baton Rouge Magnet High School senior has won one of the city’s more heartening cultural prizes.
Sophia Zhu took top honors in the 2026 REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCE High School Exhibition, a juried show at Baton Rouge Gallery that gathers student work from across East Baton Rouge Parish. The award was announced on April 1 during the gallery’s First Wednesday opening reception, which was attended by more than 200.
This year’s exhibition featured more than 70 original works by students from public and private high schools across the parish. A jury selected the top three pieces, with $1,000 in cash prizes awarded among the winners.
The paintings remain on view at Baton Rouge Gallery in City Park through April 26.
The exhibition was made possible by Cordell and Ava Haymon, with support from The Daniels Family Fund.
More than 200 people attended the First Wednesday opening reception at Baton Rouge Gallery. (Baton Rouge Gallery/Heather McClelland photos)
