Bayfield High School photography students made an impressive showing in this year’s Alpine Bank Youth Photography Showcase, an event open to all middle and high school students in La Plata County. The annual showcase provides young photographers with a rare opportunity to display their work in a professional gallery setting, with up to 100 student photographs selected for exhibition at the Durango Arts Center.
This year, 17 Bayfield High School students earned spots in the Student Gallery Expedition—an outstanding accomplishment that highlights both their technical skill and artistic vision. Their photographs will be enlarged, mounted, and displayed at the Durango Arts Center from November 17–22.
Bayfield High School Art Teacher Kathleen Neal shared the full list of selected students:
Arianna Stubb-Lopez, Klara Snow, Cameron Mars, Jack Hooks, Hudson Taylor, Makyla Lanier, Lidia Johnson, Brooks Terrel, Jason Von Duhn, Grayson Bailey, Grady Williamson, Brianna Gabbert, Brooklyn Orendorff, Ashton Hudspeth, and Kylie Beeman.
“We are so proud of our students and the incredible work they produced for this showcase,” Neal said.
A Standout Moment for a Young Photographer
The event began with a remarkable achievement: two student photographs sold on opening night, and one of them belonged to BHS student Kylie Beeman. Her work was purchased by Allen Harper, owner of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, who expressed interest in connecting Kylie with his professional photographer.
Kylie’s photo was selected from a competitive field of 60 student photographers, and during the event, she was introduced as a new professional photographer — a title she earned after the sale of her piece.
The Youth Photography Showcase is part of the larger Colorado Pro Photographer Showdown, and each student selected for the showcase receives two complimentary tickets (a $50+ value) to the main event on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at the Fort Lewis College Community Concert Hall.
The culminating event features five award-winning professional photographers who present their best work on the venue’s giant screen, each performing a curated 10-minute visual show set to music. Audiences can expect breathtaking images that span mountain landscapes, wildlife, urban environments, cultural stories, and glimpses into the human experience.