RPCS Photographers Earn Regional Recognition

Earlier this month, seven talented photographers in Roland Park Country School’s Upper School earned recognition for their fantastic work from the regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

Since 1923, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have celebrated the vision and talent of creative teenagers and offer students the opportunities for recognition, exhibition publication and scholarships. Presented by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to identify students with exceptional artistic and literary talent and share their remarkable work with the world, this awards program increases in popularity each year. This year alone, students across America submitted nearly 350,000 original works in 29 categories of art and writing. 

All of the pieces submitted by RPCS students were photography-based, with some pieces digitally altered and others manipulated with other art media. Twenty of these pieces by seven RPCS students were awarded either a Gold Key, Silver Key or honorable mention.

Lila Hathaway, 2019, whose two pieces Lands End and Flourish earned a Gold Key distinction, will advance to a national judging in New York City in March. “I am so honored to have these pieces considered for national awards. I would not be where I am today, applying to art school hoping to pursue design as a career, if it hadn't been for the Arts program at RPCS. The support, guidance, and knowledge that my teachers and peers gave me will have a lasting impact on who I am both as an artist and young woman.”

“RPCS is graced with a group of incredibly talented artists. I’m so excited that these students were recognized for their work, and am proud of all the girls who submitted exceptional pieces to this highly competitive juried show,” said Tracy Bracken, the photography teacher in the Upper School. 

The visual arts curriculum at Roland Park Country School helps students deepen their imaginations and connections to the world around them and strengthens their abilities to articulate their ideas. “Our outstanding visual arts faculty encourages the students to stretch beyond their comfort zones and take artistic risks to express themselves,” said Caroline Blatti, Head of School. “This is a wonderful reflection of our girls’ talent and hard work and our extraordinary teachers in the art department.”

Below is the list of 2019 regional award recipients from Roland Park Country School. These pieces will be on display at the Upper School photo exhibit in the Knott Lobby from February 20 through March 10. 

Helen Cheng, 2020: Manpower, Honorable Mention; Vulnerable, Honorable Mention

Lila Hathaway, 2019: Drowning in Plastic, Honorable Mention; Lands End, Gold Key;         Flourish, Gold Key 

Anna Killingstad, 2019: Girls, Honorable Mention; Flight, Honorable Mention

Emma Radinsky, 2019: Criss-Crossed Tracks, Silver Key

Berkley Reddick, 2019: Soldier, Honorable Mention; Mask, Honorable Mention; Patient X, Silver Key; Bodies, Silver Key; Ivy Window, Silver Key

Joy Wu, 2019: Trapped, Silver Key

Jamie Wyskiel, 2020: Confinement, Honorable Mention; The Red Dress, Honorable Mention; Masked, Honorable Mention; Summer Creatures, Honorable Mention; The Sunset Chaser, Honorable Mention; Spiraled, Silver Key