Five Oliver Ames High School Students Selected for Statewide ‘Amazing Emerging Artists’ Exhibit

From left, Oliver Ames High School students Juniper Misener, Rebecca Curtin, Knese Betts, Lily Banks and Angie Romeiro. (Photo Courtesy Easton Public Schools)

EASTON — Five Oliver Ames High School students were selected to have their artwork featured in the ninth annual Massachusetts Art Education Association (MAEA) “Amazing Emerging Artists Recognitions Exhibit.”

Lily Banks, Knese Betts, Rebecca Curtin, Juniper Misener and Angie Romeiro currently have their work displayed in the MAEA virtual exhibit.

Lily’s drawing, “Family Chords,” Rebecca’s drawing, “That’s Enough,” Knese’s mixed media piece, “Well Loved,” Angie’s drawing, “Muted Within,” and Juniper’s sculpture, “Teenage Dream,” were selected for the exhibit.

Each year, MAEA asks high school art teachers across Massachusetts to nominate five students they consider “amazing emerging artists.” A blind jury composed of artists, gallery owners, teachers and college professors selected 155 pieces of artwork to be featured in the exhibit. 

All five nominated Oliver Ames artists were selected.

Lily, Rebecca and Angie also received a monetary award as the recipients of the “MAEA Art Educator Award” for drawing.

“Congratulations to all of our students who were recognized by the Massachusetts Art Education Association,” said Principal Kelly Cavanaugh. “Their work stood out among submissions from across the state, which speaks to the time, effort and passion they bring to their art. I also want to thank our Art Department Chair Kristyn Shea for her unwavering dedication to our art program and for encouraging students to explore their creativity and pursue their artistic interests.”

“This exhibit celebrates the exceptional talent art educators are seeing across Massachusetts this year,” said Art Department Chair Shea. “Being juried into an art exhibit is no easy feat in the art world, it requires not only technical skill but also a unique artistic vision and voice, along with the ability for an artist to stand out among the other submissions. To have all five of our submissions accepted into the exhibit, with three students receiving Art Educator Awards, speaks to the caliber of work our students are creating. Angie, Juniper, Knese, Lily and Rebecca represent the very best of what emerging artists can achieve and I am so proud to see their hard work, creativity, artistic vision and voices celebrated. They inspire me every day in the art room.”

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