PUSD Students Build Their Own Gallery for ArtNight's 21st No Boundaries Show

Student curators create professional exhibition showcasing artwork from across the district

Mar. 12, 2026 at 1:34pm

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For the 21st consecutive year, Pasadena Unified School District students will display their artwork in a professional gallery during ArtNight Pasadena. The exhibition, called No Boundaries 21, is curated and built by a group of students at Rose City High School through a 12-week work-based learning internship. Before the public arrives, representatives from ArtCenter College of Design, Armory Center for the Arts, and the City of Pasadena Arts Commissioners will place stickers on selected artwork, surprising the student artists with scholarship awards and recognition.

Why it matters

The No Boundaries exhibition provides a unique opportunity for PUSD students to gain hands-on experience in curating and mounting a professional art show, while also showcasing the incredible artistic talent across the district. The event highlights the district's commitment to arts education and celebrates the creativity and potential of its students.

The details

The student curators from Rose City High School are responsible for making all the creative decisions about the placement and layout of the over 300 artworks in the exhibition. On the night of ArtNight Pasadena, they will be present to guide visitors through the gallery they built. The scholarship and award process involves three partner organizations - ArtCenter College of Design, Armory Center for the Arts, and the City of Pasadena Arts Commissioners - who select pieces for recognition. Artworks from the exhibition are also permanently displayed on the City of Pasadena's Student Art Wall.

  • No Boundaries 21 opens on Friday, March 13, 2026 as part of ArtNight Pasadena.
  • The exhibition remains open for 10 days, covering two weekends and the week in between.

The players

Pasadena Unified School District

The public school district serving the city of Pasadena, California.

ArtCenter College of Design

A private art and design college located in Pasadena, California.

Armory Center for the Arts

A non-profit arts organization based in Pasadena that provides arts education and exhibition opportunities.

City of Pasadena Arts Commissioners

The arts and culture commission for the city of Pasadena that supports and promotes the arts.

Rose City High School

A public high school in the Pasadena Unified School District.

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What they’re saying

“When the kids come for No Boundaries, they see, 'Oh my gosh, why does it say ArtCenter next to my piece?' And then they find out that they won an award for a scholarship to the ArtCenter.”

— Karen Anderson, Arts and Enrichment Coordinator, Pasadena Unified School District (pasadenanow.com)

“They are doing something they have never done before. They're accomplishing something that they never knew they could, and the sense of pride that the students take away is extremely impactful.”

— Karen Anderson, Arts and Enrichment Coordinator, Pasadena Unified School District (pasadenanow.com)

“I would like families and parents and community members to feel inspired, to feel awe, to feel pride in their school and their community through this incredible exhibition of student artwork from kindergarten through 12th grade.”

— Karen Anderson, Arts and Enrichment Coordinator, Pasadena Unified School District (pasadenanow.com)

What’s next

The scholarship and award recipients will be announced to the student artists when they arrive at the exhibition on the night of ArtNight Pasadena.

The takeaway

The No Boundaries exhibition showcases the incredible artistic talent and potential of Pasadena Unified School District students, while also providing them with valuable hands-on experience in curating and mounting a professional art show. The event celebrates the district's commitment to arts education and its ability to inspire and empower young artists.