2025 Individual Visual Art
A Familiar Face
Emma Chala: As the daughter of two Colombian parents, I possess many physical traits that are characteristic of my Hispanic heritage: my dark and thick hair, my almond shaped eyes, and my aquiline shaped nose. But despite looking outwardly Hispanic, I often feel like an imposter in my community as I am disconnected from the Spanish language and subsequently lack the tools to socialize with other Hispanic people in my community. As a result, I often regard my physical appearance as a form of “false advertising” that deceives other Hispanic people into thinking I am like them and that I belong. In order to convey the idea of surface level assumptions and fixed expectations, I used rigid materials and geometric shapes within my work. I also utilized black and white photography in order to highlight the contrast in my features and indicate how I feel my "Hispanic-ness" is instantly detectable because of my appearance.
Business as Usual
Anfeng Xie is a current junior at St. Paul’s School. Born in Shanghai, China, Anfeng developed an interest in nature. He would often visit the parks around the city, sketching the distinct patterns of tree barks and the details of flowers. During breaks, he traveled with his family to the golden fields of Jiangsu, the serene shores of Lake Tai, and the lush, emerald forests of Zhejiang. These travels made Anfeng recognize environmental degradation in places and made him value the environment more. He started drawing and painting factories under gray skies and green hands enclosing a deteriorating planet. When Anfeng arrived in Concord, New Hampshire for middle school, he explored new forms of art and learned more about the opinions surrounding the environment. The worsening of the environment and rhetoric behind environmental advocacy offered Anfeng many new ideas and opinions throughout the years that he portrayed with various mediums. Through art, Anfeng hopes to offer insights that may allow individuals to have a clearer and correct understanding of the complex rhetoric surrounding the environment.
Dreamcore
Rosy Zhou is a freshman at Lord Byng Secondary School in Vancouver, Canada. Her work has been exhibited in local galleries. She has received numerous awards, such as two Gold Keys from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Rosy enjoys experimenting with different materials, textures, and forms. Inspiration for her art piece comes from her daily life and all sources she finds interesting.
Harvested Shells
Sean S. Hur is a 10th-grade student at St. Paul's School in Concord, NH. Originally from Seoul, Korea, Sean has developed a deep passion for art, environmental science, and marine biology. He has received several accolades for his artistic and scientific pursuits, including Silver and Gold Keys from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, Genius Olympiad finalist, Marine Life Content Contest finalist, and NYCSEF finalist. Drawing inspiration from the natural world and his desire to protect it, Sean focuses on understanding and addressing environmental challenges, particularly those impacting marine ecosystems. This summer, he plans to continue his studies at Island School in the Bahamas, exploring ways to combine his scientific interests with a commitment to sustainability.
Immersion into an Abstract Dream
Wolfgang Fung is a first-year student at Shanghai American School Puxi. He is from Hong Kong and currently resides in Shanghai. He is working towards studying sociology, art history, and arts, carrying his passions through different forms of presentation methods like photography, art, and writing. He will continue his studies at Shanghai American School to further develop his skills both academically and artistically.
Internal Conversation
Taegyoung Shon is a junior attending BC Collegiate in Korea. She is fascinated by the gap between reality and imagination—places where the boundaries between the everyday and the fantastical become challenging to discern. Through painting, sculpture, and architectural exploration, Taegyoung investigates the atmosphere and structure of these in-between spaces. Bold colors and distinctive compositions define her visual language, transforming the familiar into something uncanny and thought-provoking. For her, art is both a form of emotional expression and a space for experimentation—one where new perspectives emerge and invisible thoughts are given tangible shape.
paper - skin, skin - body, body - earth, mountain - sky
Willa Jaymes Kurtz is a second-year senior at Interlochen Arts Academy from the Hudson Valley, Upstate NY. She uses religion and spirituality to understand the self, environment, and how they interact, the tangible and intangible. She has been recognized by her department and the Scholastic Art & Writing awards. She is interested in psychology and installation.
Spent
Clementine Huck is from St. Louis, Missouri. She is currently a junior at Interlochen Arts Academy. Accomplishment wise, Clementine has attended Interlochen Arts Camp for two consecutive summers. She has also had her work featured in the St. Louis History Museum’s Day of the Dead exhibit, the Washington University in St. Louis’ production of “She Kills Monsters,” and the student-run literary arts magazine The Muse Manifesto. Additionally, she was a recipient of the Interlochen Arts Camp Fine Arts Award scholarship in 2023. Clementine's thesis concept thus far concerns adolescent emotion and self-identity, aiming to project ominous, emotionally provocative work regarding the convoluted and sensitive minds of teenagers.
Stumble My Way Out of the Sea
Rosy Zhou is a freshman at Lord Byng Secondary School in Vancouver, Canada. Her work has been exhibited in local galleries. She has received numerous awards, such as two Gold Keys from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Rosy enjoys experimenting with different materials, textures, and forms. Inspiration for her art piece comes from her daily life and all sources she finds interesting.
Yeobin Park is a junior at BC Collegiate and an emerging filmmaker passionate about storytelling grounded in genuine human connection. Her films capture subtle emotions and everyday moments, revealing deeper truths about people and relationships. Her work has been recognized at several festivals, including the All-American High School Film Festival. Driven by curiosity and empathy, Yeobin sees filmmaking as a way to reflect on and better understand human experience. She aims to continue creating honest, heartfelt films that inspire viewers to slow down, observe more closely, and connect more deeply with the world around them.