Triangle Family's Student Art Showcase
A picture is worth a thousand words, especially when it’s created by a young person. Art plays an important role in a child’s education by nurturing creativity and self-awareness, and cultivating empathy and understanding.
Triangle Family asked students in public and private elementary, middle and high schools across the Triangle to submit their artwork for our Student Art Showcase—and the results are impressive.
Thoughtfully created and meticulously crafted, these pieces demonstrate imagination, originality and self-expression. Their inspiration, as described here in the students’ own words, underscore a way of looking at the world as only they can interpret—and for us to appreciate.
Ham Sandwich
Libby – Apex Middle School, grade 8
Acrylic on paper
“I referenced a photograph that was given to our class for an assignment. My painting was chosen as a favorite from the eighth-grade art students.”
Double Hand Emotions
Camayah – Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill, grade 10
Linoleum block printing
“I wanted to utilize the negative and positive areas of linoleum printing through the presentation of opposing hands that express emotions.”
Orca
Maria – The Montessori School of Raleigh, grade 7
Clay, acrylic paint
Inspired by “Mexican art and animals.”
Bright Boba Matcha
Aaliyah – Club Boulevard Magnet Elementary School, Durham, grade 4
Paper collage
“I was inspired by the artist Megan Coyle. I wanted to ‘paint with paper,’ and cut up magazines to create a collage.”
Polar Pal
David – Wildwood Forest Magnet Elementary School, Raleigh, grade 5
Paint
Perspective, ant-eye view.
Claymation
Kilian – Durham Academy, grade 11
Clay, balsa wood, plywood, wire, paper and fabric
Inspired by “how the use of phones among teens takes away opportunities to enjoy or develop other hobbies.”
Waves
Alexa – Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill, grade 10
Linoleum block printing
Look at Her
Kensie – Trinity Academy, Raleigh, grade 12
Watercolor
“It is an attempt to capture how I felt as a younger dancer and the older girls would watch me, and how I perceived the older girls.”
Altheia Gallery
Ky – Sanderson High School, Raleigh, grade 12
Cardboard, watercolor, ink and string
“I wanted to recognize a certain kind of everyday hero: people who make truthful information available to the general public (photographers, writers, artists).”
Tucker
Kate – Oakview Elementary School, Apex, grade 5
Crayons, tempera paint and oil pastels on paper
Inspired by the artwork of Jackson Pollock and the techniques necessary to create the animal eyes. Kate rendered the artwork to look like her dog Tucker, and represented Oakview Elementary School in the Wake County Public School System’s 2024 Gifts of Gold art show.
Coffee Shop Flowers
Victoria – Grace Christian School,
Raleigh, grade 11
Paper and coffee
“I love books and coffee, and my middle name is Rose.”
Won first place in The Woman’s Club of Raleigh Arts Festival competition in high school paper arts; won Superior (blue ribbon) at the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Art Festival in 2023.
Young Game Changer
Oscar – St. Timothy’s School, Raleigh, grade 8
Digital mosaic
“Marcus Smart is my favorite basketball player and used to play for my favorite team, the Boston Celtics.”
Gray Night
Juniper – Cedar Ridge High School, Hillsborough,
grade 12, IB Visual Arts program
Acrylic paint on canvas
“Gray Night” was visually inspired by the Fauvist paintings of Henri Matisse. The subject was inspired by how colorfully the streetlights illuminated my friend.”
Artwork exhibited at the Hillsborough Arts Council Gallery, spring 2024.
I am Hopeful for the World
Carolynn – Apex Friendship Elementary School,
grade 5
Acrylic paint, collage
Inspired by “the suffering of penguins due to global warming.”
Represented Apex Friendship Elementary School in the Wake County Public School System’s 2024 Gifts of Gold art show.
Ceramic Beads
Milo – Durham Academy, grade 12
Ceramic
Inspired by “indigenous North and South American ceramics and beadwork.”
Doubt
Catherine – Cedar Ridge High School, grade 12,
IB Visual Arts program
Acrylic paint on canvas
“This work was inspired by the self-worth struggles adolescents face in the 21st century due to unrealistic expectations and trends they are exposed to from social media.”
Artwork exhibited at the Hillsborough Arts Council Gallery, spring 2024.
Self Portrait
Ava – South Lakes Elementary School,
Fuquay-Varina, grade 5
Pencil
“My artwork is about my mind. I want people to notice that the stuff that goes inside my head is unique.”
Conversation With A Pig!
Tamya
Shepard Magnet Middle School, Durham, grade 8
Sea Turtle
Anabella – Hodge Road Magnet Elementary School, Knightdale, grade 5
Pencil and alcohol-based markers on sketch paper
“I find all sea creatures amazing, but sea turtles in particular. Their shells are a blend of different colors and patterns.”
Represented Hodge Road Magnet Elementary School in Wake County Public School System’s 2024 Gifts of Gold art show.
Taylor Swift Mosaic
Jordan – St. Timothy’s School,
Raleigh, grade 9
Graphic design
Inspired by “Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.”
Won first place in The Woman’s Club of Raleigh Arts Festival competition.
A Mosquito from a World of Ink
Sofia – The Montessori School of Raleigh, grade 9
Pen and ink
“The mosquito is a symbol of persistence, survival and deception. It’s the most hated bug in history, but no one dares to see its beauty.”
Christmas with a camera
Emily – Grace Christian School,
Raleigh, grade 11
Color digital photography
“I tried to capture the Christmas light glow by taking the picture in the dark.”
Won first place in the The Woman’s Club of Raleigh Arts Festival competition in high school color photography, first place in the GFWC District 6 Art Contest and first place in the GFWC of North Carolina competition.
Typewriter
Ellie-Reed – Trinity Academy
Raleigh, grade 12
Cardboard
“The process of this project included sketching multiple angles of the typewriter and figuring out what details to include and execute. This project helped my understanding of construction techniques and also helped me understand the detailing of an object.”
Won Best in Show at Trinity Academy’s Night of the Arts.
