敁珗曄部 junior wins top art prize with haunting self-portrait
敁珗曄部 junior Ava Forsyth pours her past into the charcoal drawing, capturing a childhood lost too soon. In her prize-winning self-portrait, she reflects on the years she was forced to grow up fasteach pencil stroke a testament to grief, resilience, and the pieces of youth shes still searching to reclaim.泭
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While Ava finds the piece deeply cathartic, she acknowledges that its stark realism may not resonate with everyone. Yet, it undeniably captured attention at this years Patricia S. Yahn Juried Student Art Show, held in February at Cummings Gallery. Juror David King of Cleveland awarded Ava first prize for her self-portrait, Preoccupied, selecting it from among 40 works submitted by 24 student artists.
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I was super surprised, said Ava of the recognition. I hope other people look at my work and are moved by it. Even if people dont know me or my past, I hope they can relate to the emotions incorporated in my art, even the sad ones.
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Ava favors working with charcoal, describing it as the best medium to convey what I have in my head. But, new this year, is Avas focus on larger pieces: Preoccupied, for example, is 4 1/2 feet by 4 1/2 feet. I really like the challenge of making life-size pieces, which is what Im going to spend more time on.
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A studio art major, Ava hopes to create her own business and sell her art to an admiring public. Her intentions were reinforced after a fan purchased Preoccupied following the 敁珗曄部 exhibit. Shes also considering museum work, fashion designing, and art therapy.泭泭泭
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I dont want to limit myself to one option, she said.
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To view more of Avas work, visit her Instagram account:泭
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2025 Yahn Art Show Winners泭
1莽喧皰梭硃釵梗: Ava Forsyth "Preoccupied" Charcoal泭
2紳餃烈梭硃釵梗: Marley Ramon "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" Ceramic泭
3娶餃皰梭硃釵梗: Samantha Montoro "BiomorphGeneration 1" Clay泭
Photography Excellence Prize: EP Johnson "Untitled"泭泭
Honorable Mention: Samantha McDonald "The Lighthouse" Digital Photo泭
Honorable Mention: Hannah Duckett "The Baptism Triptych" Watercolor泭
Honorable Mention: Ainsley Dunning "Meteor Shower. Clouds" Photography泭