The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards juries recently announced the winners of their 2020 competitions. Many students were locally recognized, with honorable mentions and gold and silver medals at the regional level. Two students from the Upper School have been recognized and awarded at the national level: Senior Gwen Savidge and Junior Ali Brown. 

To gain any national recognition, their work had to be in the top one percent of all submitted works. Their work was chosen out of thousands of other students. 

 Savidge received a national gold medal for her portfolio, a set of curated images from her AP photography project. She is excited to have been selected and has worked very hard for this accomplishment. 

“I spent many hours over the course of junior year working on my portfolio. I don’t think people realize how much work goes into AP Photo,” she said. “It feels good to be recognized for something I put so much time and effort into.”

Junior Ali Brown won a national silver medal for one of her photographs, a strikingly lit portrait of her brother. She is looking ahead towards her upcoming work and burgeoning artistic career.

“I honestly wasn’t expecting my piece to get this far, but I’m still really proud of the work I’ve done,” she said. “I’m going to continue to work on my portfolio and will definitely submit to Scholastic next year.”

In other artistic achievement, several students have also been recognized for their work on a more local level. Out of 55 total works, 11 students from The Benjamin School will be featured in the Norton Museum of Art’s Collage and Assemblage event.

The requirements for the competition were as follows: it must be a collage and fit on 10 in. by 15 in. paper. 

On Apr. 9, the museum will hold “Art After Dark” from 5-7 pm, where students can see their exhibited works that will be featured in the museum until June. 

Chair of the Fine Arts Department Ms. Melissa Ford is proud of her students for all they have accomplished thus far. The Norton display will actually be just one of the exhibits of student work in our area this month. The annual Art show at the Gardens Mall offers viewing opportunities closer to campus.

Along with AP Art teacher Mrs. Rojo. Ford is hurriedly setting up this art show, “Eye Cue,” to showcase works from students in all of the Middle and  Upper Schools’ art classes, from intro to photo to advanced ceramics. 

“We’re excited that the artwork will be on display for two weeks and that our students have the opportunity to share their work with the larger community,” Ms. Ford said.

“Eye Cue” will take place in the Nordstrom Court in the Gardens Mall from Apr. 15-24.