ARTree showcases student art 

Art teacher Jose Varba (center) and Teri Khafla (right) look at a student art piece during the reception on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Katherine Quezada/The Signal
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The ARTree Community Arts Center held its Student Art Show last weekend in Old Town Newhall.  

There were 49 pieces of original artworks created by students as young as 5 and up to 90 years old following the culmination of a 15-week-long program in which they developed their art skills. Students were allowed to create freely without any strict criteria, according to Sheri Carlson, treasure and education co-chair.  

ARTree Community Center student artwork up on display during a special reception on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Katherine Quezada/The Signal

To celebrate the culmination, ARTree held a reception free and open to the community  so members of the public could witness artworks in a gallery setting and meet some of the creators.  

Teri Khafla ,who created a piece titled “Spring in Central California,” was taking in all the pieces and pointing out her favorite parts about them. She joined the program to learn how to play more with acrylic paints.  

Artist Teri Khafla points at her art piece titled “Spring in Central California” during the ARTree student art show reception on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Katherine Quezada/The Signal

“Art is important across all societies and cultures. It’s just a part of us, who we are as humans,” Khafla said. “When you’re a part of being human, you can see others as human. This brings people together. It’s important for our community.”  

She added that having local art programs in the area makes it easier for people to join programs that otherwise may be too far away to commute.  

ARTree volunteer Matheus Cavalheiro points at his favorit flower created by community members to put on displace in the community center during a student art show reception on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Katherine Quezada/The Signal

The art show is hosted twice a year showcasing student work in the Santa Clarita Artists Association gallery. Students choose one of their favorite pieces created throughout the program, and ARTreesupplies the frames and reception to celebrate with family and friends.  

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