Student Artists Dazzle at AP Art Show

“Advanced Placement” indeed! Students from our AP Art classes displayed their exceptionally advanced work in the Edward J. Duffy Family Art Center and Gallery for the AP Art Show, much to the delight of the gallery’s curator, Studio Art Teacher and Digital Communication, Design, and Innovation Co-Chair Charles Hollinger.

“I am incredibly happy and proud of this year’s group of AP students. They have worked so hard all year long and created some wonderful pieces,” Chas said. “They are a thoughtful and dedicated group of young artists, and their work reflects that.” 

Visitors viewing the art were equally impressed, enjoying the displays and asking questions of the artists. There was tremendous creativity and variety among the themes for each collection, from historical perspectives to world views to deeply personal expressions.

The works of Brooklyn Hairston ’24 fell very much into the latter category. “My theme centers around how we as people of color see ourselves through the lenses of society and how these perceptions are  internalized,” she explained. “I depicted these feelings by using songs for inspiration and attaching their meaning and lyrics to the pieces. I reinterpreted some of the lyrics to help verbalize and visualize those feelings.”

Taking a similarly introspective approach, Irene Chen ’24 confronted her ongoing relationship with her own appearance. “The subject of my portfolio was very delicate and personal to me,” Irene said. “I portrayed this by depicting various stages of my progression, from when I was entrenched in insecurity to the positive place where I am now.” And S.S. ’24 chose “Exile” as her theme, presenting her life story by exploring and expressing different stages of exile through her pieces of art. “In this journey, I was hoping to find healing,” she said. “And I believe I did.”

Other students chose different avenues to express themselves through their art. Han “Alisa” Cui ’24 created 15 self-portraits based on art movements and artists throughout history, while Maddalena Faraci ’24 created scenes showing how she perceives the world around her—the details, pallets, and moments that capture her attention. Xicheng “Angel” Xu ’24 showcased Chinese history and culture in a way that, she said, “transcends superficial perceptions.”

Still others found inspiration in contrasts—love and loss (Liza McIntire ’24), the positives and negatives of technology (Catherine Steers ’24), and the interplay of conflict and harmony (Yueqi “Jessica” Zhao ’25).  

Despite so many diverse themes and styles, all of the artistic displays had one thing in common…they were exceptional. Congratulations to our talented AP Art students for a job well done!

VIEW PHOTOS