The annual Scholastics Art and Writing Competition is one of the country’s most prestigious art competitions for young artists, encouraging students from the United States, U.S. Territories, and Canada.
Student works of photography, ceramics, and studio art were selected by their respective teachers for submission to the Connecticut regional competition.
Five students earned Gold Keys, four students won Silver Keys, and five students received Honorable Mentions. Among the Gold Keys were photo students Ethan Shin ’25, Emily Cho-Sayegh ’26, and Warren Colby ’27, ceramics student Theodore Dunckel ’26, and studio art student Albert Chen ’26.
Scholastic judges and support staff come from all around Connecticut. Ms. Colleen MacMillan, instructor in photography, film, and related media, served as moderator of the jurors for the 9th, 10th, and 12th grade individual photography submissions.
Originality, emergence of personal vision and skill/technique were the main criteria. Ms. MacMillan said, “Seeing what they noticed and what set certain images apart was particularly helpful. I feel like I have more understanding of how to help my students prepare their submissions in the future.”
Dunkel created House of Cards, a ceramics sculpture illustrating her family’s migration, for a project regarding ancestry. She said, “The delicate nature of a house of cards and how each card can only stand if all are standing is much like how every person in a family needs to rely on each other and the importance of place in shaping a family.”
Ms. Christine Owen, instructor in ceramics, helped Dunkel find the appropriate material and technique to accomplish House of Cards. Ms. Owen said, “I advised Thea to use Stoneware Paperclay, a material with cellulose fibers that allow it to be strong during building. In Thea’s case, she needed the cards to be thin, leaving very little surface area to join them together; the paper supported the form through potential technical challenges.”
Shin created a portfolio of photographs of New York doormen over the summer, which he continued to edit throughout the fall semester. He said, “I’ve always been really close with the doormen in my building, and I realized how often people pass by building lobbies without getting to know them. I felt it would be nice to highlight their passion, confidence, and perseverance that most don’t recognize as they shuffle through the lobby with their heads down.”
Gold Key winners will move on to the national round; winners of the national round will be eligible for scholarships and further accolades.
