Schools Exhibits
The Leon Theodore Schools Exhibit
Enjoy a Celebration of Youthful Creativity
The 2026 Leon Theodore Schools Exhibit
Friday & Saturday 9am – 5pm
Sunday 9am – 3:30pm
Sponsored By:
2025 WINNERS
High School Best in Show 2D:
High School Best in Show 3D:
Middle School Best in Show 2D:
Middle School Best in Show 3D:
A special thank you to all the supporters of this exhibit, including the Joe and Sarah Galloway Foundation, Sam Flax, the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, Orange County Public Schools and the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival Foundation.
The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival has proudly showcased the artists and art programs of Orange County and Winter Park public and private schools since the first festival in 1960.
The skillful and unique art works created by these talented students will amaze you. The exhibit is named in memory of Leon Theodore, an inspirational teacher, artist and former member and president of the art festival board. New this year, the student displays are located in the West Meadow between Morse Blvd and New York Ave.
The judges for this year’s Schools Exhibit are:
Kyle Hendley was born in 1958 in St. Petersburg, Florida and earned his MFA from the University of Cincinnati and maintains a studio in Orlando. He teaches studio art at Valencia College and art history, humanities, and film history at Barry University. His work has been exhibited locally and nationally in over 35 select exhibitions and 20 solo exhibitions, including Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary, Aqua Art Fair Miami Beach, SCOPE NY, Bridge Art Fair/Art Basel Miami, the Tampa Museum of Art, Mobile Museum of Art, and numerous university galleries and museums nationwide. KYLE has completed major public art commissions for the City of Orlando and the Maitland SunRail Station and served as Artist-in-Residence at the historic Maitland Art Center. He has received grants from the Florida Department of Cultural Affairs and United Arts of Central Florida, earned over 30 awards including 14 Best of Show honors, and is represented by ArtSpace/Virginia Miller Galleries in Miami.
Njeri Kinuthia, born and raised in Kenya, moved to the U.S. in 2021 to pursue her MFA at the University of Central Florida. Her artistic talent has been recognized with awards, including the 2024 Florida Prize in Contemporary Art People’s Choice Award, the 2023 United Arts Public Art Award, the UCF Provost Fellowship Award, among others. She is a multi-disciplinary artist working in drawing, painting, installations, textile art and soft sculptures. Njeri has showcased her work in numerous exhibitions across the country and beyond. She is also an art and design professor at the University of Central Florida. Her work explores themes of identity beyond tradition.
Brianna Angelakis Palfi is an exhibiting artist whose work has been featured in museums and galleries across New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Cincinnati. A New England native who relocated to Florida, she earned her BFA in Fine Arts and BA in English from Flagler College, followed by an MFA in Art from the University of Florida. Following her studies, she served as an Artist-in-Residence at Manifest Gallery in Cincinnati, OH, and has exhibited her work locally at the Hand Art Center, Harn Museum of Art, Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, and the Crisp-Ellert Art Museum. She currently lives in the Greater Orlando area with her husband and 4-year-old son, where she balances her studio practice with her roles as an Adjunct Studio Art Professor at Stetson University and as a Graphic Designer at HH Global for Google.
PLEASE NOTE: SCHOOL EXHIBIT HOURS DIFFER FROM THE MAIN FESTIVAL!
Display hours:
Friday & Saturday, opens 9 AM-tent closure at 5 PM;
Sunday opens 9 AM-tent closure at 3:30 PM.
Full 2024 Winners List will be posted shortly!
Who is Leon Theodore?
Leon Theodore taught for Orange County Public Schools at Hungerford High School and then at Edgewater High School until his retirement. He was an exhibiting artist in The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival and developed the students’ section where artwork from Orange County private and public schools could be displayed. He was a long-time WPSAF board member and the 1983 president. In 2000, the WPSAF committee changed the name of the student section to the Leon Theodore Schools Exhibit in his honor and memory. He passed away in March, 1999 during the same weekend as the Festival.
I began with Mr. Theodore at Edgewater in the 10th grade. I will never forget his first comment on the first day of his classes each year, “If you are sitting in one of my desks because you think this class is going to be an easy A, please get up and get out. I take teaching art very seriously.” I quickly learned that this teacher truly cared about each individual student and showed us how to gain confidence through our own expressions in art.
He inspired me in so many ways but mostly because he believed in me. He always encouraged me and pushed me to do my best. I went on to major in Art Education at Mercer University in Macon, Ga. so that I could give back to students all that he had given to me in my three years at EHS. I am a full-time 3rd – 5th-grade art teacher. And I have every intention of investing in each child just as Mr. Theodore invested in me!
I look forward to encouraging them in my art room just as Mr. Theodore encouraged me and so many others that they are countless! It is my desire to always keep a legacy like the one Mr. Leon Theodore left behind alive!
Whenever I see The WPSAF Leon Theodore Schools Exhibit area each year, I am so proud to say, ‘That great man was always my favorite teacher!’ ”
…Joanie Forbes, Art Teacher, Park Maitland School, former student of Leon Theodore
Leon was a kind, soft-spoken man who was genuinely concerned about the welfare of his students. Though he was small in stature, he was well respected and admired by everyone. He and I were church ushers at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in the early 90’s. You might say, “He took care of his pews.”
On several occasions, I would see his students’ artwork displayed at the Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center. I was impressed by the talent of his students at Edgewater High. He influenced other art teachers in the district to display their students’ work. To this day, veteran art teachers around Orange County reminisce about his integrity and craftsmanship.
I considered him a renaissance man for his love and devotion to his craft and his pupils. When I began my teaching career, Leon Theodore was someone I could turn to for advice and counsel. The faculty at Edgewater loved him dearly. I can say for certain that it was a very sad day at school when we heard of his passing. He was a truly remarkable artist, and a human being. It was an honor for me to call him a friend and colleague.
Oh yes, one more thing…Leon had a terrific smile which was contagious. I miss him immensely.”
….Douglas K. Loftus, Principal, Acceleration East High School
Leon Theodore was not only an accomplished artist, but a talented and dedicated teacher. I remember him as an energetic worker for the WPSAF, he worked very hard on the student exhibits. Leon, Grady Kimsey and I judged many student art exhibitions and contests. He was always kind and had a great sense of humor. I enjoyed spending any time I could with him.
….Ann Clement, Friend
Dad was a gentle, kind man who although quiet, stood up for those he cared for. This did not remain with just his family. He applied this concern and love to anyone under his ‘care’. I can remember being angry that I had to share him with the kids in the neighborhood. Little did I know how many kids he touched and influenced. That statement speaks to whom my father was. Each person felt like they were the center of his attention, especially my mother.