Linkhorne Middle School seventh grader Annie Richards was voted Artsonia’s national Artist of the Week in September. Her piece, “Hot Air Balloon Stained Glass,” received more than 600 votes, earning her a first-place spot in the seventh through ninth grade age division from Sept. 21-27.
“I didn’t expect to win. I was happy and proud when I did,” Richards said.
Artsonia is used by Pre-K through 12th-grade teachers to display student artwork worldwide. With a mission to bring communities together in celebration of children's artistic expression, the website provides opportunities for young artists to showcase their talent.
Richards received a $50 gift certificate to Blick Art Materials. Linkhorne Middle art teacher Tory Duffy, who submitted her students’ pieces, received a $100 gift certificate to buy supplies for her classroom.
Duffy regularly uploads work by Richards and her classmates to Artsonia to help engage parents in their children’s education. Showcasing artwork digitally makes it easy for families to view their students’ creations and connect with them over the things they’re learning in class.
“Parents will leave encouraging comments on their kids’ artwork. I always love reading through them,” Duffy said. “It’s valuable to have that real-time parent involvement in what their kids are doing at school.”
Currently enrolled in Duffy’s advanced art class, Richards enjoys expressing herself creatively and learning new artistic techniques. She’s especially interested in communicating meaning through her creations. “Hot Air Balloon Stained Glass,” for example, is a daydream-inspired piece intended to evoke a sense of wonder and whimsy.
“I’ve learned that it’s better to have a story behind a piece of art. A pretty image is nice too, but the meaning is what makes it special,” Richards said.
For students like Richards, art class provides a space to try new things, explore their creativity, and express themselves. Recognitions like this one play a critical role in helping learners find confidence and joy in their work.
“Art is such an important thing for middle schoolers. As they’re starting to figure out who they are and who they want to be, having an outlet for creative expression is huge,” Duffy said. “I find it particularly meaningful when a student receives recognition for their art because it’s such a vulnerable thing. Your artwork has parts of you in it. It takes courage to put yourself out there.”
