Each month we spotlight a teen, opens a new window at CPL.
The Teen Winter Challenge jury was in awe of the portfolio and personal statement submitted by grand prize winner Rosario B. Qualities which made her entry stand out include the poetic choices of words and images in her portfolio, including bones, beauty and work completed over multiple canvases. One juror noted that her references to painting and acrylic "providing [her] with freedom to explore" was noteworthy; knowing and commanding this insight at an early age is commendable.
We appreciated that Rosario noted with gratitude how her teachers at Whitney Young High School have “given [her] new views of the world,” as well as how she “discovered painting through After School Matters.” Most of all, however, the jury was impressed by her diverse skills as well as your experimentation with symbolism in art - i.e. via music and blooming roses symbolizing “becoming,” combined with a gorgeously written personal statement.
Rosario’s passion to create was evident in every word as well as each stroke of her brush. She concluded, “I have yet to discover more painting methods,” and we are thrilled to support her continued growth as an artist, having named her as our grand prize winner for the Senior Achievement Award, which means that she will be awarded a $500 scholarship which will be directly to the two- or four-year college or university of her choice.
The 2016-17 Teen Winter Challenge Jury:
- Ade Abioye of Chicago Public Library's Teen Services Department
- Christine Bespalec-Davis, Education and Programming Manager at the National Veteran's Art Museum
- Hillary Cook, Assistant Director of Youth Programming at the Art Institute of Chicago
- Joel Javier, Education Manager at Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art
- Joshua Slater, Teen Programming Manager at Hyde Park Art Center
- Matt Egan of Chicago Public Library's Literature and Language Department
- Robin Willard of Chicago Public Library's Teen Services Department
- Sasha Neri of Chicago Public Library's Maker Lab and General and Information Services Department
