Opportunities for Young Artists at Rainier Beach High School 

Rainier Beach High School senior Laureyna Nguyen is using her involvement in the Seattle Public Schools Youth Arts Collective to expand access to the arts, build community, and create opportunities for fellow student artists. 

For one Rainier Beach High School student, art has never been just a hobby. 

Since she was four years old, drawing has been a way to express herself, process emotions, and connect with others. Today, that lifelong passion has led Laureyna Nguyen to become a first-year member of the Seattle Public Schools Youth Arts Collective (YAC), where she joins student artists from across the district in helping shape the future of arts education. 

Launched during the 2025-26 school year, the Youth Arts Collective brings together student artists representing different schools, backgrounds, and artistic disciplines. Through the program, students build community with peers, provide feedback on arts curriculum and course offerings, explore career opportunities in the arts, and serve as advocates for arts education in Seattle Public Schools. 

When Nguyen learned she had been selected to join the 2026-27 Youth Arts Collective cohort, she was thrilled. 

“I was so excited,” she said. “It’s the first time I’ve been involved in something that aligns so closely with what I’m passionate about.” 

Her commitment to the arts extends far beyond her own creative work. As a student at Rainier Beach High School, she recognized a need for more opportunities for young artists to connect and showcase their talents. In response, she started an art club, creating a space where students can collaborate, share ideas, and work on projects together. 

“I wanted to open up those art spaces,” she said. “I wanted a place where young artists could shine.” 

One of the club’s most significant accomplishments has been the creation of a multicultural mural, the first large-scale mural project at the school in nearly a decade. The project brought students together to celebrate the diverse cultures and identities represented throughout the Rainier Beach community while adding more student-created artwork to the school’s walls. 

Her vision for the future is simple: more opportunities for students to engage in the arts. 

She hopes to see additional arts programming, greater accessibility to creative projects, and more pathways for students whose interests may lie outside of traditional activities. 

“Not everyone is interested in things like sports or math,” she explained. “There are creative minds that deserve opportunities too.” 

That belief is one reason she was drawn to the Youth Arts Collective. She sees the program as an opportunity to elevate student voices and advocate for increased support and investment in arts education. 

She credits much of her growth as an artist to the encouragement of teachers along the way, including Rainier Beach visual arts teacher Mr. Nate H., who introduced her to the Youth Arts Collective and encouraged her to apply. 

“He gave me a safe space to create,” she said. “He let me be myself and explore my art.” 

In addition to drawing and sketching, she enjoys photography and takes inspiration from a wide range of artistic styles and mediums. She is particularly drawn to traditional visual arts and admires the craftsmanship behind hand-drawn animation, appreciating the level of detail and storytelling involved in the creative process. 

No matter the medium, art remains a powerful form of communication for her. 

“I wasn’t always good with words,” she said. “Art became a way to express my emotions and tell my story.” 

As Seattle Public Schools celebrates National Arts in Education Week, students like her serve as a reminder of the important role arts education plays in helping young people discover their voices, build community, and explore their passions. 

Through initiatives like the Youth Arts Collective and student-led efforts across schools, Seattle Public Schools continues to create opportunities for young artists to learn, lead, and leave their mark on their communities.