2025 MAEA Recognitions Exhibit

Organization or School Affiliation: Dennis Yarmouth Regional High

Student Name: Bin Wyman
Grade: Grade 12
Artist Statement: This is a slab box designed using a sgrafitto glaze technique to create the imagery of the endangered Little Brown Bat.
Teacher: Craig Brodt

Organization or School Affiliation: Dennis Yarmouth Regional High

Student Name: Griffin Pratt
Grade: Grade 12
Artist Statement: This Sculpture represents the peace and mind-fullness of your mind and body, which sometimes can clash with your vibrant feelings. Peace is shown in the expression of the face, self love is radiantly in its aura around the face, awakening viewers as it has god powers.
Teacher: Craig Brodt

Organization or School Affiliation: Somerville High School

Student Name: Jack Granowetter
Grade: Grade 12
Artist Statement: This four piece set was inspired by experiencing the grandness of the Southwestern American National Parks such as Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon. I contrasted the rocky speckled red with the bright blue of the sky, a constant in the dry wide open desert. On the sides of the pieces, I carved strata to replicate the layers of red rocks found in the four corners region.
Teacher: Taylor Byrne

Organization or School Affiliation: Canton High School

Student Name: Maxwell Eagles
Grade: Grade 12
Artist Statement: Art is my quiet and happy place, where I can escape and reconnect with myself. It allows me to express emotions and ideas that words can't capture. Through this practice, I've learned to think more creatively, seeing the world from new perspectives and finding beauty in unexpected places.
Teacher: Hannah Cascio

Organization or School Affiliation: Somerville Public Schools

Student Name: Kimberly Alvarado Cruz
Grade: Grade 9
Artist Statement: My art process—sketch, outline, paint—flows naturally, especially for skirts and tops. I love designing ruffles, bows, colors, and volume. The planning, creation, and praise fuel my passion. Each piece reflects my dreams, from vibrant patterns to confident poses. Some designs are inspired by a friend's book, where I illustrate characters based on real people, their habits, and flower meanings.
Teacher: Ms. Chau

Organization or School Affiliation: Wilbraham & Monson Academy

Student Name: Kayden Chhoun
Grade: Grade 12
Artist Statement: I decided to take inspiration from some of my current hobbies, and also from ones that I enjoyed as a kid. Although it is often difficult to find the time in my day, I enjoy playing piano because it is relaxing and brings me closer to music. As a kid, my all time favorite toys to play with were legos, and while searching for memorabilia I stumbled upon my old jazz quartet Lego set.
Teacher: Theresa Chianese

Organization or School Affiliation: Wilbraham & Monson Academy

Student Name: Rebecca Kakule
Grade: Grade 12
Artist Statement: This is my whole childhood in one piece. This piece is me the night of being sick going to my parents room to tell them I am sick. Wrapped in that blanket I am having the worst night sick, bald(imagining myself with long luscious hair), and knowing that the next morning my siblings will be there to cheer me up.
Teacher: Theresa Chianese

Organization or School Affiliation: Silver Lake Regional High School

Student Name: Ashlynn Runey
Grade: Grade 11
Artist Statement: Inspired by Georgia O’Keefe and her breathtaking bone painting, I kept the aspect of realism she depicts in her work when forming my piece. I kept the realism in mind while adding a twist of color that virtues the life that was given by this buck, and hold close to my heart the values my dad and uncle taught me from hunting; to be thankful to this soul that now soars to have fed my family.
Teacher: Hannah Close

Organization or School Affiliation: Shepherd Hill Regional High School

Student Name: Olivia Cronauer
Grade: Grade 12
Artist Statement: Sunrises capture the quiet beauty of a new day, bathed in soft, warm hues. The color pink, often associated with hope and serenity, seemed like the perfect expression of the gentle energy that a sunrise can bring. For me, it symbolizes a moment of peace amidst the chaos of life. Sunrises remind me that even after the darkest nights, there is always the potential for something beautiful to unfold.
Teacher: Stephanie Lashua

Organization or School Affiliation: Medfield High School

Student Name: Greta Krauss
Grade: Grade 12
Artist Statement: A connection to nature is being explored in this piece by integrating a self portrait with the color & abundance of flora. Using oil paint, I attempted to draw from theatrical costuming & make-up to adapt my portrait to the surrounding environment. This camouflaging may be interpreted as emerging from or recessing into nature.
Teacher: meg drew

Organization or School Affiliation: Waltham

Student Name: Avery Bross
Grade: Grade 12
Artist Statement: This idea came from looking at old photos of myself lying in the grass; I appeared tired but was enjoying the sun. I let my mind wander despite what weighed me down. Creativity/self-worth can transcend personal struggles and making art helps me express myself. Drawing fish is my favorite because of their bright colors and graceful movements. We should all try to do more of what we love!
Teacher: Kathleen Flynn

Organization or School Affiliation: Waltham

Student Name: Anthony Lucero Montoya
Grade: Grade 12
Artist Statement: My work is about storytelling through art. I love to make stories that come from my everyday life and inside my head. The atmosphere in this piece, done with pencil and charcoal, speaks to my current mood at that time. These stories create a special bond between me and my art pieces. I love to draw and I hope to study illustration in art school next year.
Teacher: Kathleen Flynn

Organization or School Affiliation: Billerica Memorial High School

Student Name: Madilyn Rodgers
Grade: Grade 12
Artist Statement: I used charcoal to go for a dramatic contrast between light and dark, adding to the intensity of the scream. The deep shadows and highlights give depth and dimension to the piece, emphasizing the emotion in the expression.
Teacher: Brenda Fredericks

Organization or School Affiliation: Billerica Memorial High School

Student Name: Brianna Eggers
Grade: Grade 12
Artist Statement: This is a charcoal self portrait using a direct light source to create deep contrast. I relied on the white charcoal pencils to bring out the lighter values of the piece. I initially was disappointed with the reference photo as I felt it wasn't "pretty" or "serious" enough, however as I continuously worked on the project I came to appreciate the more genuine and authentic look to my expression.
Teacher: Brenda Fredericks

Organization or School Affiliation: Billerica Memorial High School

Student Name: Kate Gregorowicz
Grade: Grade 11
Artist Statement: I have always loved flowers. They are soft so I added a hard edge to them. My painting exhibits how I feel, that every soft nice thing has a sharper side and how the sharp side isn’t bad. I used a blue background with geometric shapes to blend it with my flowers and showcase them.
Teacher: Brenda Fredericks

Organization or School Affiliation: Billerica Memorial High School

Student Name: Melyna Flores
Grade: Grade 11
Artist Statement: This photo was taken in manual to show the beauty music can bring to a person. The record player brings a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for music. Watching a vinyl spin can bring peace and calm your nerves while listening to your favorite song. It can create a more personal feel to listening to music rather than just playing it on your phone.
Teacher: Brenda Fredericks

Organization or School Affiliation: Acton Boxborough Regional High School

Student Name: Allie Zhang
Grade: Grade 12
Artist Statement: As a senior, I have been thinking about graduation a lot lately. In this painting, I depicted myself as I was at five years old, surrounded by all my current friends at our graduation that has yet to come. I wanted to explore this idea that milestones can be the best opportunities for looking to the past as well as into the future.
Teacher: Eliza Greene

Organization or School Affiliation: Acton Boxborough Regional High School

Student Name: Ashley Gu
Grade: Grade 12
Artist Statement: I chose ‘Homesick’ because it tells a story and creates emotion through art. The shepherd holding the lamb represents nurturing and protection, similar to parental figures. This piece uses lighting and temperature to show a peaceful but also nostalgic mood, like a moment of transition or change.
Teacher: Eliza Greene

Organization or School Affiliation: Acton Boxborough Regional High School

Student Name: Emma Johnson
Grade: Grade 12
Artist Statement: This oil painting depicts my sister and the bond we’ve developed over time. I aimed to portray her empathy and tenderness as she cradles the chicken closely. Sophie has a generous heart; whether it's her older sister or a small farm animal, she shares her warmth with all who seek it.
Teacher: Eliza Greene

Organization or School Affiliation: Athol High School

Student Name: Serena Awung Nkengafe
Grade: Grade 9
Artist Statement: I moved to the US from Cameroon and took my first ceramics class! I hollowed out a clay form, incised my favorite soccer players' names: Salma, Griezmann and Bellingham. I used blue, white and red glaze to represent the French flag and the jersey of Atletico de Madrid. I cut three shapes to create a puzzle to be connected. This work of art connects my passion for art with my love for soccer.
Teacher: Eleonora Halstead