High school artists on Whidbey Island will win big this weekend.

Not only do these aspiring young creators have a chance to win monetary awards, but they all will be helping to support a cause that promotes the education of young women in America.

Sponsored by the Whidbey Island branch of the American Association of University Women, the 10th Annual Arts and Appetizers event comes to Greenbank Farm from noon to 4 p.m. today.

The AAUW’s mission is to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education and research.

This annual all-island juried art show invites all high school artists to submit work that will be judged by professional Whidbey Island artists. This year’s judges include painter James Moore, ceramicist Joan Govedare and painter Bergen Rose.

Oak Harbor High School art teacher Frank Jacques said the annual event is an excellent opportunity for students and reflects the rich artistic community of Whidbey Island.

“This show gives these students an opportunity to see their work in a public context and the chance to see people they don’t know looking at their work,” Jacques said. “It’s a grander venue than the glass case at the school and is very memorable for them.”

Eric Smits is an Oak Harbor High School student and an art show entrant for the second year as a ceramicist. He said winning is not the point of the show.

“Being a part of it is more important than winning,” Smits said.

Rachel Nypaver is another pottery artist who is a first time entrant in the show and speaks highly of her teacher, Jacques.

“He is an awesome teacher,” Nypaver said. “He taught me how to look at every day things in a different way; to look for patterns and use them in my art.”

Nypaver said the pieces she entered in the show came out of a challenge Jacques gave the students to create a piece based on a single word. She has entered her “dangerous” bowl and her “eccentric” cup.

In past years the show included around 200 pieces of art in mediums ranging from wall art, sculpture and photography to wearable art such as textiles and jewelry. Monetary awards are given in each category; $50 for first place, $35 for second place and $25 for third place. Awards also include a “People’s Choice Award” ribbon in each category.

Proceeds from the art show fund several scholastic achievement honorary awards and three scholastic achievement $1,000 grants which are given each year to graduating high school women. The awards are decided by a committee of AAUW members from north, central and south Whidbey Island and are based on a variety of criteria which may include grades, activities and need. The eligible high school women are initially recommended by school counselors and other personnel.

Honorary awards of $100 each are also given to nine island high school women — three from each of the high schools on the island — who have achieved excellence in the areas of math, technology and science. They are chosen by their teachers, and the awards ceremony is held at the April meeting of AAUW.

The winners this year were Haley Waterman (mathematics), Chelsea Rosenkrance (science) and Kyrsten Huddleston (technology) from Coupeville High School; Ashley Smith (mathematics), Christina Carter (science) and Kaytie Henson (technology) from Oak Harbor High School; and Katy Gordon (mathematics), Anna Schmitt (science), and Leigha Beck (technology) from South Whidbey High School.

Tickets for the Arts and Appetizers show are $12 for adults and $5 for youth at the door. Wine, gourmet cheeses, punch, coffee and cookies will be served.

To learn more about the organization, visit www.aauw.org.

Patricia Duff can be reached at 221-5300 or pduff@southwhidbeyrecord.com.