Seven AP art students at Benilde-St. Margaret’s were recently recognized with 2024 Minnesota Scholastic Art & Writing Awards (MSAA) for their original works of art. The BSM students were among more than 1,000 submissions from students across the state in the annual Scholastic Awards program.
“We see the techniques, skills, and creative confidence of our students grow throughout our fine art courses at BSM. It is rewarding to have their hard work and efforts recognized by Scholastic and the Metro West conference,” said Kelli Rahn, BSM’s visual arts department chair. “The opportunity to have our students participate in these contests and conference shows helps to showcase the fine art talents of our BSM students.”
BSM student artists whose works of art were recognized by the Minnesota Scholastic Art & Writing Awards (MSAA) for 2024.
Abbie Marusich ’26 received a Gold Key for her untitled painting. “I decided to make this painting after I visited Yosemite National Park last summer. I wanted to capture the movement of the water, and color of the sunlight on trees and rocks because I thought that would make the piece vibrant and engaging,” Marusich said, adding, “I was very excited to receive a gold key award for this painting and I am very grateful to have been able to enter my art in this contest.”
Marusich’s piece has now been submitted to the National Scholastic Art Awards program for consideration.
Silver Key award recipients included:
- Ryan Bruer ’24 for his photo entitled “Gotham City”
- Maddie Kaltsas ’24 for her Ceramics and Glass entry entitled “The Lion and the Rabbit”
- Talia Loes ’25 received two for her “Whispering It Will Be Happier” and “Haunted by the Ghosts of Me” paintings
Honorable mention winners included:
- Sadie Storie ’24 for her photography entry entitled “Whiplash”
- Annabelle Bent ’24 for her digital art piece entitled “Teen Beat”
- Clara Lara Mendez ’24 for her digital art piece entitled “My Love for Culture”
- Talia Loes ’25 for her “Evolving Beyond Photosynthesis” painting
Abbie Marusich ’26, with her Gold Key painting of Yosemite National Park.
The 2024 national award recipients will be announced on June 12, 2024.
Each year, BSM’s visual art students participate in the MSAA competition, which is part of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens, established in 1923. The competition showcases the creative talents of teens in photography, ceramics, mixed media, painting, and drawing & illustrations.
The MSAA program is sponsored by the Art Educators of Minnesota, the Department of Art, the Katherine E. Nash Gallery, the Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota and Wet Paint Artists’ Materials and Framing of St. Paul.
In related art news at BSM, the works of nine BSM art students were presented and judged in the Metro West juried art show. Zach Moonan ’24 received an award of Achievement for his digital photography and design piece, “Urban Desolation and Despair,” and Talia Loes ’25 also received an award of Achievement for her “Whispering It Will Be Happier” painting.
BSM also submitted works by Annabelle Bent ’24 (digital photography and design), Olivia Gorton ‘24 (ceramics), Jack Jacobsen ’24 (graphic design), Judah Johnson-Nixon ’25 (ceramics), Clara Lara Mendez ’24 (digital illustration and chalk pastel), Talia Loes ’25 (oil painting), Grace Ortizcazarin ’24 (ceramics), and Matilda Pihart ’24 (ceramics).
Congratulations to all of BSM’s 2024 talented and award winning student artists!
