Arts Build Confidence Student Showcase Returns to Galleria at Crystal Run

The Orange County Arts Council’s “Arts Build Confidence” student arts showcase returned to the Galleria at Crystal Run in Middletown Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. High school performing arts sampling took place in Center Court (near JCPenney) from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., and a People’s Choice Awards ceremony recognized the top vote-getters at 2:30 p.m.

High school artwork was installed on panels set up in the mall’s center atrium and Center Court, while student work from grades K–8 was presented in a digital slideshow. Galleriacrystalrun’s event notice specified that “large screen video monitors will present the works near the staircase in the center court, adjacent to the high school pieces.” Admission to the showcase was free, according to the venue and local listings.

Sources list the media on view in slightly different ways. The Galleria notice and an original report fragment list drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media among the high school pieces. Mid-Hudson News and Wdlccountry provided a broader inventory that included oils, watercolors, mixed media, digital art, photography, and short literary works. TimesHudsonValley’s 2025 coverage noted that student fashion art and arts career exploration were part of that prior year’s program, but 2026 sources do not list those elements for this year.

Visitors were invited to take part in free People’s Choice voting during the day; Mid-Hudson News and Wdlccountry reported that the three pieces receiving the most votes would be recognized at the 2:30 p.m. ceremony. The published materials did not specify the voting mechanism or ballot format.

Mall management emphasized the community connection to the showcase. “We are thrilled to once again partner with the Orange County Arts Council and our talented local elementary and high school students,” said Darrin Houseman, General Manager at Galleria at Crystal Run. “This event has become a cherished tradition at our center, and we look forward to welcoming the community as they experience the incredible musicals and artwork created by these gifted young artists.” Brandi McLendon, Director of Programming and Operations at the Orange County NY Arts, said, “Arts Build Confidence is a powerful reminder of how deeply creativity supports student growth.”

Organizers and local outlets reported differing attendance figures for prior years. Mid-Hudson News said last year’s event “gathered over 30 schools across Orange County and saw more than 5,500 visitors engaging with the students’ art.” TimesHudsonValley’s report on the 2025 showcase stated a prior-year count of 32 schools and “more than 4,500 visitors.” Both figures are explicit to their sources and were reported without consolidation by event organizers in the published notices.

The Galleria at Crystal Run posted its event notice on Feb. 18, 2026; the venue is listed at 1 Galleria Drive, Middletown, NY 10941, and the contact number on the page is 845.692.8883 for further inquiries about the showcase.