Four Upper School visual art and photography students have been recognized at the regional level for their submissions to the 2023 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Kristen Hardy ’23 received a Silver Key for her submission, “Untitled.”

The program, established in 1923, encourages and celebrates creativity and arts education in seventh through 12th grades in the United States, U.S. territories and Canada. Participants are eligible for public exhibitions and scholarships. Regional Gold and Silver Key recipients will have their work exhibited locally. Gold Key winners advance to competition for the national awards.

Congratulations to these students for their accomplishments:

Silver Key Award: Kristen Hardy ’23, “Untitled”

Honorable Mention

Brianna Donigan ’23, “The Obscured Path”

JJ Mitchell ’24, “Enfant near the ct”

Josie Ludlam ’23, “A Joyous Stay”

Upper School visual art teacher Erin Stelling, who teaches Photography I and II as well as Art 2-D Design, said of her students, “Kristen, JJ and Brianna each utilize photography in unique ways, both in content and process. Their work pushes the boundaries of the traditional ‘photograph.’ It’s my favorite part of teaching, seeing my students’ ideas and voices persevere and grow into great work.”

Kristen, who is enrolled in Art 2-D Design, said her Silver Key-winning photography submission, “Untitled,” “was about experimenting and learning to embrace mistakes like light leaks and make them into beautiful pieces of art.”

Her fellow photographers echoed that sense of experimentation.

“With this piece, I wanted to step outside my comfort zone,” Brianna, who is also taking 2-D Design and has previously been recognized for her work by the Fine Arts League of Cary, said, “and elevate something viewed as simple into something ethereal.”

“Not limiting yourself to the typical construction of photography is how you create change in a simple vision,” JJ, who took Photography I in the fall, added.

Josie, who is taking AP Studio Art with Upper School visual art teacher Allison Tierney and is a past Scholastic Art Award winner, expressed delight at her award. “It’s so crazy to see my work be recognized — but it’s so fun.”

“We are so excited to have these students recognized by the Scholastic Art Awards, a prestigious competition,” Tierney said. “It truly speaks to their hard work and dedication to their art!”