![Kents Hill School Students Receive National Art Recognition]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1681153830/kentshillorg/zgtqeubox8wccjgtqq8r/IMG_5377.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1681153830/kentshillorg/zgtqeubox8wccjgtqq8r/IMG_5377.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1681153830/kentshillorg/zgtqeubox8wccjgtqq8r/IMG_5377.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1681153830/kentshillorg/zgtqeubox8wccjgtqq8r/IMG_5377.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1681153830/kentshillorg/zgtqeubox8wccjgtqq8r/IMG_5377.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1681153830/kentshillorg/zgtqeubox8wccjgtqq8r/IMG_5377.jpg","width":2200}])
It has been a spectacular year for our art students, and it’s exciting to see our young artists get some well-deserved praise and recognition. This year our students had a higher quantity of awards than usual, with their work receiving more prestigious recognition.
Ali M. ’23 and Ava K. ’23 received Silver Key awards in the National Scholastic Art Competition for ceramics and painting. Less than 1% of submissions nationwide get recognized at this level. They are among only nine students across Maine to receive national recognition this year. Kents Hill is the only school in Maine to have two students honored. There have only been four other KHS students to receive national recognition.
Ella S. ’23 won first place in the District 2 Congressional Art Awards. Her photograph will be professionally framed and hung in the Cannon Tunnel between the House Office Building and the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. for the year.
Kaila D. ’23, Ava K. ’23, and Sarah G. ’25 also received honorable mentions for the Congressional Awards, which is an impressive feat.
Several students were juried into the Excellence in Maine Arts Education: Art at the Capitol Complex Exhibition from their work displayed at the Maine College of Art and Design.
We are so proud of our thirteen students who have won an impressive twenty-seven awards in the 2023 Maine Regional Scholastic Art Competition.
Notably, Nora C. ’23 won a Gold Key for her senior portfolio, one of only four in the state.
Our art teacher Dylan Gifford reflected on this year’s winners, “While we had sophomores and juniors receive recognition for works in a variety of media, our seniors' work was exceptionally well received. Many of these seniors have been at Kents Hill School for three or four years and it has been so exciting as a teacher to see them each grow their artistic skills and voice throughout their years with us. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some of these students every year for the past four years and it has been a delight to support them on their journey as artists. I am so proud of what they've accomplished and I look forward to seeing what they will create as their journeys continue.”
The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards is the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens. Students from across the country submit nearly 350,000 original works each year in 29 different categories of art and writing including photography, painting, digital art, poetry, science fiction & fantasy, and others.
Winning a Scholastic award at any level is a noteworthy achievement and can play an important role while applying for college and future scholarships. Congratulations to all of our artists and our incredible Art Department for an outstanding year!
View the complete body of winning work
Complete list of winners:
Katie A. ’25 - Floating: Regional Silver Key
Nora C .’23 - Senior Portfolio: Regional Gold Key
Stuck: Regional Silver Key
Self Reflection: Regional Honorable Mention
Kaila D. ’23 - Airplanes: Congressional Art Awards Honorable Mention, Regional Silver Key
Kaylee F. ’23 - Self Love: Regional Silver Key
Overgrown: Regional Honorable Mention
Sarah G. ’25 - Girl in a Sprayed Room: Congressional Art Awards Honorable Mention, Regional Silver Key
Waterflow: Regional Silver Key
Kate H. ’25 - Turn N Burn: Regional Honorable Mention
Some Friends are Gold: Regional Honorable Mention
Ava K. ’23 - Let’s Sit: National Silver Medal, Congressional Art Awards Honorable Mention, Regional Gold Key
Five: Regional Gold Key
Wonderworld : Regional Gold Key
Ali M. ’23 - Imprisoned: National Silver Key, Regional Gold Key
Out of Time: Regional Silver Key
Burnt Out: Regional Gold Key
Emma R.K. ’23 - Rose: Regional Honorable Mention
Ella S. ’23 - Portrait 1: 1st Place Congressional Art Awards, American Vision Nominee, Regional Gold Key
Bean Bag Toss: Regional Silver Key
Connectivity: Regional Silver Key
Cows: Regional Honorable Mention
Looking Further: Regional Silver Key
Phoebe S. ’23 - Trashmaid: Regional Silver Key
Original Fruits: Regional Honorable Mention
Nickolas S. ’25 - Market Man: Regional Gold Key
Elaine Y. ’24 - Railroad: Regional Honorable Mention