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Semifinalists for Artist of the Year 2024 for fine arts include, from left, Minnie Zhai from Orange County School of the Arts, Skyler Wells from El Dorado High School, Jihoo Yoon from Northwood High School and Lily Zahraii from Beckman High School. (Photos courtesy of the artists)
Of 177 nominees, the following 16 students have been selected as semifinalists for the 2024 Artist of the Year in fine arts. The students were chosen by a panel of teachers based on written statements and art portfolios.
In submitting their work, students identified their strongest specialty within the discipline and the judges use that specialty to help focus their evaluations.
Students are also placed into divisions based on the number of years they have been studying fine arts. Students with a combination of three years of fine arts training in middle school, high school and private training are placed into Division 1. Students with less than three years of combined training are placed into Division 2. A minimum of two Division 2 students are guaranteed to be invited to be semifinalists.
During the final round of adjudication, students are interviewed by a panel of distinguished artistic professionals and faculty members from Southern California universities. Interviews include a live presentation by the students followed by a question-and answer-session.
Up to five top students may be chosen in each discipline – four finalists plus the Artist of the Year.
The finalists and Artists of the Year will be announced next Sunday, April 28.
On Wednesday, May 8, an awards ceremony will be held at Memorial Hall on the campus of Chapman University which is free and open to the public. This event will include performances and presentations by the top students.
This program is generously sponsored by the Chapman University College of Performing Arts. Additional support is provided by Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts and the UC Irvine Claire Trevor School of the Arts.
If you would like to become a sponsor for the Artist of the Year program, contact Heide Janssen at ocartistoftheyear@aoy.scng.com.
Amanda Almeida
Junior, Orange Lutheran High School
Division 2
Strongest specialty: Drawing
“I hope to be able to create immersive and entertaining stories, artwork, and characters that many people are able to connect with, become inspired, and bring them as much joy as creating art does for me. In regards to the future, the impact that I hope to have on the world through my art is that it is able to inspire any aspiring future artists to expand on their style of art, ideas, and to be their own authentic selves.”
Boyan Chen
Senior, Crean Lutheran High School
Division 1
Strongest specialty: Mixed media
“Polarization in ideas and cultures has been rising recently, creating estrangement among people and filling the world with disagreements and estrangements. I seek to break down boundaries among people through art, like Picasso during WWII, Pearl Primus and her dances against racial violence, and many great artists who raised their voices during stages of great transformation. As an artist, I believe in art’s ability to bring people together.”
Anais Esquivias Collado
Senior, La Habra High School
Division 2
Strongest specialty: Mixed media
“Similarly to many other artists, I started drawing ever since I was a kid. I always loved to create, it had become part of my identity very early on. I was always enamored with the process of creating art. The biggest influences I had were cartoons and movies in general. Whenever I would watch a movie, I would think about the process of applying special effects makeup, editing, and (my favorite) animation.”
Grace Feng
Junior, Portola High School
Division 1
Strongest specialty: 3D
“The process of creating art is like a constant self-affirmation; it helps me find my freedom, independence, creativity, and imagination amidst the 7.8 billion souls inhabiting this blue planet. Whenever I finish a piece of artwork, it is like a container for my emotions, a drift bottle to keep my memories in, and a mom who hugs me. Art makes me who I am.”
Caroline Kim
Junior, Orange County School of the Arts
Division 1
Strongest specialty: Product design
“As an artist, I want to create experiences, whilst sharing my own, ultimately using my vision on the world to create designs that have purpose and meaning to others. I envision my work to be a spark of joy in people’s lives, reminding them that life is filled with little joys and successes that we must take the time to appreciate. Since I have this experience in developing my own brand, TheCityTigers, from the ground up, I want to further develop it into something more meaningful, something that can have a larger impact.”
Yunseo Kwon
Senior, Portola High School
Division 1
Strongest specialty: Painting
“My works, grounded in realism, carry subtle meanings that reflect the societal challenges that surround us. Beyond the canvas, I weave creative design elements into my artwork, a unique language that allows me to communicate my ideas and distinctive stylistic choices. I draw inspiration from news media and the implications of rapid innovation on our lives.”
Ethan Larsen
Senior, Esperanza High School
Division 2
Strongest specialty: Ceramics
“Since I listen to a lot of heavy music i’m largely inspired by album covers and the vibe the music gives off. I like to think of my work as myself and the music which is why it looks rough around the edges. Starting with imperfectly shaped forms with intentional flaws, rough textures, and an earthy appearance, my work gives off a creepy and eerie vibe that causes contemplation of my creative process. If my work had a message to give it would be for people to be more open to different kinds of art and go outside of their comfort zone to explore new things.”
Chelsea Lee
Senior, Orange County School of the Arts
Division 1
Strongest specialty: Drawing
“Some day, my artworks, which will reveal the tangible efforts of my still growing intellectuality and creativity, will be noticed worldwide, exposing the most crucial issues and aspects within society: xenophobia, disconnections from the natural world, cultural acceptance. These alone motivate me to create.”
Sofia Martinez Hernandez
Senior, Huntington Beach High School
Division 1
Strongest specialty: 3D
“I want to be the type of artist whose work reflects the world they see around them. My pieces focus on the emotions of the individuals around me, as well as how I may feel about them. My interest in people drove me to make the human body the base for my projects. I want to explore the endless possibilities I have at expressing feelings with human sculptures.”
Grace Sohun Shin
Senior, Orange County School of the Arts
Division 1
Strongest specialty: Mixed media
“Through art, I highlight the chaos that people experience amidst wars while questioning the reason behind the outbreak of such wars. My work explores the multifaceted nature of humans, reflecting the conundrum between determining the right and wrong during extreme occurrences like wars.”
Chili Sloop
Senior, Orange County School of the Arts
Division 1
Strongest specialty: Drawing
“My goal in the future is to spend time creating a coloring book with my illustrations that reflects the beauty of nature, the coexistence of nature and human activity, and its destruction as well. I hope to work with brands and other artists in the future to create more awareness of the damage done to our environment. Whether that means murals, posters, or clothing design. I just finished my first project with a small business that took my art piece and screen-printed it onto shirts. I was able to share with many people, their platform, and mine as well, how human impact inspired the piece and what it may mean.”
Skyler Wells
Senior, El Dorado High School
Division 1
Strongest specialty: Ceramics
“The ceramic process is not just an artistic endeavor; it’s a transformative journey shaping my future post-high school. It fosters creativity, discipline, and resilience. As I navigate the complexities of clay, I’m not just crafting art; I’m molding skills that will undoubtedly influence my personal and professional growth, setting a solid foundation for my journey beyond high school.”
Melody Wu
Senior, Orange County School of the Arts
Division 1
Strongest specialty: Painting
“Today, I consider my pursuit of art not just a personal interest but a tribute to my father’s unacknowledged artistry and my mother’s unfulfilled dreams. In my effort to challenge the misconception that art is “useless,” my creative endeavors have evolved from a simple hobby to an instrument allowing me to spotlight the overlooked corners of our world. I make art hoping that one day, someone may unfold a dusty canvas and rekindle stories that were long forgotten.”
Jihoo Yoon
Junior, Northwood High School
Division 1
Strongest specialty: Painting
“Ultimately, my artwork’s function has changed from being a way to ‘taking part in contests,’ to ‘learning how to spread an impactful message with my drawing skills.’ In the most recent artworks, I have been aiming to use my artwork to speak to those who are vulnerable, weak, or simply cannot share their stories.”
Lily Zahraii
Senior, Beckman High School
Division 1
Strongest specialty: Drawing
“Art is my consciousness and unconsciousness. My art is quite literally me. It becomes the translator of my inner thoughts, every moment of success, every instance of grief, every indescribable feeling mends the blank, broken, unsolved pieces of my life. Universally a language of love, pain, happiness, expression, and gratitude. My art isn’t necessarily a comment or criticism but something of a diary, logging the moments in my life and the feelings that go beyond words.”
Minnie Zhai
Senior, Orange County School of the Arts
Division 1
Strongest specialty: 3D
“For me, art serves as a powerful medium to communicate my ideas, thoughts, and emotions. I find fulfillment in creating pieces across different media, each reflecting my concerns, dreams, interests, or a desire to shed light on social issues positively. Every artistic endeavor of mine begins with a thought or emotion I wish to articulate, making the act of creation a deeply personal and expressive journey.”
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