Art expresses what words cannot—capturing joy, curiosity, worry and awe. For young people, it’s their truest voice and a window into their imagination.
Triangle Family is proud to present our third annual Student Art Showcase, honoring talent throughout the region. From 251 submissions—each deeply valued—emerges a chorus of 35 voices: playful, reflective, and rich with expression. Though space is limited, we celebrate every artist and the inspiration behind each piece.
We thank the art teachers who shared their students’ work and helped bring this gallery to life, and Ravenscroft School in Raleigh for its sponsorship of the showcase.
Explore the 23 featured works published in our May/June issue, along with 12 Honorable Mentions, below.
FEATURED WORKS
PHANTOM PRESSURE
Ashley, Durham Academy, Grade 12
Oil on canvas
“I was inspired by my own experiences with social anxiety and self-criticism.”
ICE SKATERS
Emerson, Trinity Academy of Raleigh, Grade 3
Collage
Emerson was inspired by images shown by her art teacher, Mrs. Harris.
CURIOUS TIGER
Ethan, Cary Christian School, Grade 3
Oil pastel
“I was inspired to make the tiger look realistic by the artwork ‘Tropical Forest with Monkeys’ by Henri Rousseau.”
MOUSEEZE
Giovanni, W.G. Pearson Magnet Elementary School, Grade 3
Clay, acrylic paint
“I was inspired by the artist Leonardo da Vinci.”
FLOWER VASE
Imyracle, Easley Elementary School, Grade 3
Paint, washable crayon
Imyracle was encouraged to draw something she loves, which made her think of flowers.
ORANGE ZEST
Jessa, Carolina Friends School, Grade 8
Oil pastel
Oranges are Jessa’s favorite fruit and a picture in a magazine showed different varieties. One particular basket
spoke to her because it had the juicest-looking ones.
BUTTON
Josephine, Easley Elementary School, Grade 5
Felt
“I like the colors; they remind me of pink lemonade. I’ve always wanted a pet cat.”
PATIENTLY WAITING
Israela, Davis Drive Middle School, Grade 8
White charcoal pencil
“I love art and I love birds, so when my class got to create charcoal drawings of an animal, I decided to take that chance.”
Won a blue ribbon in the North Carolina State Fair art competition; first place in The Woman’s Club of Raleigh’s
2026 Arts Festival competition; and second place in the GFWC District 6 Art Contest.
DISORIENTED DAY
Casey, Broughton Magnet High School, Grade 12
Acrylic paint
“My inspiration was a photo of my friend I took at school through a fish-eye lens.”
DREAMING SWAN
Suzette, Wake Forest High School, Grade 11
Yarn
“I was inspired by the quiet elegance of a swan, capturing calm movement, layered textures, and the peaceful rhythm of water through flowing lines and soft, blended colors.”
MUSE
Laila, Willow Spring High School, Grade 11
Digital painting
“I was inspired by the concerts I have been to, as well as the music I listen to as a whole.”
GEORGIA
Ellie, St. David’s School, Grade 10
Pastel pencil
An ultra-wide-angle portrait of Ellie’s dog, Georgia.
GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE
Catherine, Cary Christian School, Grade 11
Postercolor
“I wanted to express traditional Korean culture through a painting style called Irworobongdo, featuring the Sun, Moon, and Five Peaks.”
Won first place at the Korean Culture and Art Festival art contest and a gold medal in Scholastic’s 2026 Art & Writing Awards.
BLUE TRUCK
Cam, Apex Middle School, Grade 8
Tempera paint
“One of my favorite books growing up was ‘Little Blue Truck’ by Alice Schertle.”
HAMBURGER CINNAMOROLL
Shyla, Mills Park Middle School, Grade 6
Clay
Shyla’s creative way of portraying her favorite character, Cinnamoroll.
AMPED UP
Lawson, Trinity Academy of Raleigh, Grade 11
Cardboard, mixed media
“I wanted to explore the idea of loud music by creating a whimsical, oversized amplifier while engaging the viewer with playful, interactive buttons and knobs.”
THE JOHN McCOWN HOUSE
Grant, Wake Forest High School, Grade 12
Linocut
“I was inspired by the former home of civil rights activist John McCown. It is an impressive example of late Victorian architecture.”
FLYING THROUGH MY DREAMS
Kara, Poe Magnet Elementary School, Grade 2
Permanent marker, watercolor paint
“I was inspired by the book, ‘Sky Color,’ by Peter H. Reynolds. It is how the character imagines herself flying through her dreams.”
BEST FRIENDS FOREVER
Ansley, Willow Spring High School, Grade 12
Acrylic paint
“I wanted to explore my sustained investigation for AP Art adventuring into different relationships experienced in one’s life.”
THE TREEHOUSE
Davis, St. Timothy’s School, Grade 5
Markers
Davis wanted to create a work of art that evokes a peaceful feeling, inspired by his many memories of exploring the woods with his sister in Boone, where his family spends much of their time.
ECHOES THROUGH THE AGES
Grace, Carolina Preparatory Academy, Grade 10
Paper, metal, cloth
“I was inspired by composer Jean Sibelius’ words: ‘Music begins where the possibilities of language end.’”
ORANGE SUNSET OVER THE MOUNTAINS
Emelia, Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill, Grade 11
Acrylic paint on canvas
“The inspiration for this painting was a photograph of a North Carolina mountain landscape.”
WHERE POWER MEETS GRACE
Gia, Ravenscroft, Grade 12
Photography
“I captured the difference between a rider and a horseman. The elegance of a partnership crafted with a horse cannot be read,
only shown.”
HONORABLE MENTIONS
TUSCAN HILLS
Sophie, Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill, Grade 10
Oil painting
“I wanted to capture the beauty and majesty of the Tuscan landscapes I saw on travels with my family.”
THE DINOSAURS
Bruce, Jeffrey’s Grove Elementary School, Grade 1
Watercolor, permanent marker, paper
Bruce was very excited for the opportunity to use watercolors combined with ink. He incorporated some of his favorite drawings in the painting.
FLOWER BLOSSOM
Dylan, Bryan Road Elementary School, Grade 4
Collage
“I got this idea when I was learning about collage, so I saw a flower in a magazine and it gave me the idea.”
AUDREY LISA
Audrey, Turner Creek Elementary School, Grade 4
Acrylic paint
“I was inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa.’”
Represented Turner Creek Elementary School in the Wake County Public School System’s 2026 Gifts of Gold art exhibition.
UNTITLED
Nylah, Carver Elementary School, Grade 5
Colored pencil
“I really like tigers, and I feel like they are such fierce and majestic creatures.”
IN MY OWN EYES
Emily, Davis Drive Middle School, Grade 8
Pencil
“Through the use of pencil, shading and contrast, I aimed to express my identity, inner thoughts and feelings.”
Won first place in the graphite pencil drawing category and represented Davis Drive Middle School in the Wake County Public School System’s 2026 Gifts of Gold art exhibition.
UNDER THE SEA
Joella, Green Level High School, Grade 10
Colored pencil
“I was inspired by the artist Marco Mazzoni and the portraits he makes. I decided to add a twist by making it ocean-themed.”
MONOCHROMATIC LINDSAY LOHAN
Pyper, St. Timothy’s School, Grade 7
Acrylic paint
“I searched ‘celebrity,” and she came up first.”
UNTITLED
Morgan, Durham Academy, Grade 12
Clay
“In the past, I’ve usually gone for a more abstract look but I wanted to try something new and stick with simplicity.”
THE KNIGHT
Brigid, Heritage High School, Grade 12
Colored pencil
“I have always loved unicorns as a kid, and ‘The Lord of the Rings’ inspired the knight.”
Represented Heritage High School in the Wake County Public School System’s 2026 Gifts of Gold art exhibition.
AFTER THE FLUSH
Nelson, St. David’s School, Grade 10
Pen and ink
“This piece captures my passion for the outdoors and the beauty of the graceful creatures I study.”
CRAZY THINGS
Neggassi, Lead Mine Elementary School, Grade 3
Construction paper, watercolor paint
This year’s works were selected by Triangle Family graphic designer Natalie Jolley (BA in Graphic and Experience Design)
and New York City–based artist Blake Leavy (BFA in Drawing, Painting, and Printmaking), whose combined expertise in
design and fine art ensured a cohesive collection.