AP Art Students Shine in On-Campus Exhibit

Five of Canterbury’s most talented student artists stepped into the spotlight as they showcased their creative achievements for the School’s AP Art Show. Held on campus in the Edward J. Duffy Family Art Center and Gallery, the exhibit featured an impressive range of work—from intricate drawings to bold brushwork—offering a glimpse into the depth and diversity of student expression.

Our five standout artists—Parker Caldara ’25, Yifeng “Kevin” Chen ’26, Kaitlynn Kenna ’26, Emma-Hayes Setterlund ’25, and Yueqi “Jessica” Zhao ’25—brought personal experience and emotion into their work, which they deftly explained in their “Artist Statements.” Some excerpts:

Parker—“My work explores how the world perceives women. My goal is to reflect not only on the strong female characters that influenced me but also on the everyday women, mothers, caretakers, mentors, and many more who raised and empowered me…to represent their strength through layered, intentional visuals that celebrate emotional vulnerability, quiet leadership, and unspoken courage.”

Kevin—“When traveling, I can always experience the feeling of being disconnected from reality and see fascinating scenes you could never experience in daily life. And I think drawing might be the best way for me to record these miracle moments. I will create my pieces using images I have taken during my journey…and try my best to make the artworks more narrative and atmospheric.”

Kaitlynn—“The central idea of my art portfolio is the negative impact humans have on animals. Growing up, I developed a deep love for nature and animals, and that passion has driven me to do what I can to protect them. Through my work, I aim to raise awareness and inspire actions to be taken to protect animals and prevent the cruelty they have to regularly endure.”

Emma-Hayes—“I choose to portray the good and bad that come with growing out of our adolescence. I hope to connect people over these shared experiences…because at one point in our lives, we were all teenagers, earning, living, and trying to find our own paths in the world. I want to normalize being able to talk about the good and the bad through the art I create. 

Jessica—“My goal is to preserve and reimagine elements of Eastern heritage, blending tradition with personal experience. Each painting captures a moment in time, a feeling, or a memory…inviting the viewer to see through my eyes, and perhaps reflect on their own story. Each brushstroke reflects my connection to the subject, and even familiar places take on new meaning over time.”

Members of the Canterbury community took the opportunity to not only admire the artwork but also chat with each artist about what motivated them to create such meaningful pieces. The AP Art Show left attendees with a lasting impression of the students’ talent, passion, and dedication to artistic excellence.

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