PORTFOLIO
Portfolio provides an environment to continue the introductory level art classes and can also be taken as preparation for the Honors class. Portfolio allows in-depth investigation of ideas and build on the craftsmanship begun during an introductory level class. Assignments to further develop technical skills in a variety of media are interspersed with independent projects. Students play a role in developing the direction of the course and in writing their own assessment criteria.
HONORS + HONORS 2
Honors is an immersive, symposium-style course that will allow committed students to work in a variety of media at an advanced level. Students cooperate in developing the course, plan a personalized course of study, and propose projects with their peers and teacher. Students conclude the year with a significant portfolio of work, creating a digital or handrendered sketchbook of research and an online portfolio as they progress. The class schedule is divided among studio time, critiques and exchanges, visiting teachers and artists, and work with professionals at galleries, universities, and museums in Rochester. The course concludes with each student hanging an exhibition of the work and writing a thesis statement.
Through discussions, research, and critiques, each member of the group cultivates an artistic vocabulary and critiquing skills and is exposed to a variety of research and methods for conceptual development. Students maintain a sketchbook as their primary organizational tool for visual evolution. Topics range from community-based and collaborative work to historical, cultural, and contemporary art. The course concludes with a significant independent topic chosen by each student, such as a global art investigation, art used as activism, a personal narrative in art, documentary photography, bookbinding, portrait painting, or a video short. We at Allendale Columbia School and our Center for Creativity and Entrepreneurship are incredibly proud of these 16 artists and the work that they continue to produce. Congratulations on your Art Exhibition and your pursuit of art in all facets of your lives. Many thanks to the people who made this show possible. Thank you to our Head of Upper School, Phil Schwartz and our Head of School, Shannon Baudo, for their constant support of the visual arts.
Amy Oliveri, Director of Creativity and Entrepreneurship
Learn more about our program at www.allendalecolumbia.org
PORTFOLIO Zuri Balkman
Zuri Balkman is a student artist based in Rochester, New York, who works across a variety of mediums, including drawing, painting, and mixed media. Their artwork often explores themes of color, shapes, emotion, and personal experience, using creative ideas to craft art. Creative ideas, other opinions, and personal reflection influence Balkman’s process. They enjoy experimenting with different techniques and styles, allowing each piece to develop naturally over time. By combining imagination with real-life inspiration, their work often reflects both internal thoughts and external influences. As an emerging artist, Balkman has participated in school art projects and exhibitions, using these opportunities to develop their skills and share their work with others. They continue to grow artistically through practice, feedback, and exploration of new ideas. Currently, Balkman is focused on expanding their use of Photography, painting, drawing, and more, and is open to exploring more than showing their work.
PORTFOLIO
Sara Cortes Luis
I’m Sara. I’m originally from Spain but I’m studying here in America for one year. I like focusing on creating things, like ceramics and fashion designs. My inspiration comes from my grandma to make fashion designs because she used to sew and when I am doing that I feel more connected with her, also my dream is to be a fashion designer. For ceramics in art classes I’ve been practicing and learning and for the fashion designs when I was younger I created a dress made by hand and when I saw the opportunity to do it here with all the machines and materials that I needed I decided to do it. And in a short period of time I’d learned a lot and definitely I want to keep making things.
PORTFOLIO Lilly Harter
Lilly Harter, known by some friends by the nickname “Mars,” is an artist based in Rochester, New York. They enjoy working with mixed media and creating complicated pieces with vibrant designs and colors. Their work explores the feeling of being different or feeling out of place. Lilly’s inspiration is found in their own experiences, interests, and feelings, and the content of their work is heavily inspired by graffiti art and anime-like art styles from the 2000s. Lilly plans to continue their current style of art, basing their pieces on their own emotions.
PORTFOLIO
Eden Latiuk
Eden Latiuk is a student attending Allendale Columbia. She is based in Rochester, NY and she works with various mediums, including ceramics, painting, drawing, photography, and mixed media. Their artwork usually contains themes of different shapes, colors, and textures. She was influenced by art when she was younger due to her curiosity and doing crafts with her family. She continued to do it when she got older for fun. She is interested in continuing to test different media to see what goes together and what doesn’t.
PORTFOLIO Yeung Hei Vany Mai
Vany Mai is a multimedia artist who is a junior at Allendale Columbia. She was born in Hong Kong and has been attending Allendale Columbia since 2024. Her works combine different aspects of modelling, collage, and abstract artworks. Her inspiration comes from her genuine love of the world, and what her immediate feelings dictate are what push her artistic vision. Vany is interested in showing more of the world her love through her beautiful and abstract artwork, and is looking forward toward what the future has in store for her.
PORTFOLIO
RYAN MALANOWSKI
Ryan Malanowski is an Allendale Columbia School student from Rochester, New York. He enjoys working with a variety of materials, and methods to produce his artwork. Ryan takes inspiration from nature around him and various people. Ryan plans on continuing his education, awaiting what future lies ahead.
Honors 1 LuCAS CABRAL
Lucas is an 11th grader who is now finishing up their 3rd year at Allendale Columbia. His art experiences began in middle school in California. He moved to Rochester, NY the summer of 2023. He is an artist who can work well in traditional artwork, mostly known for pencil drawing inanimate objects. He works in different media such as painting and photography. This year, he’s tried to explore new or familiar mediums such as printmaking and sculpting with clay, with new themes of either nature or subjects, both the artist himself and others, and connect with them. The pieces he makes are either inspired by emotions or subjects the artist cares about. He has earned multiple awards, his most treasured one being the Early Recognition Scholar for high grades. Lucas hopes to attend college to obtain a degree in either Medical or Education, with a minor in History. He hopes everyone enjoys this year’s Art Show!
To me, what first sparked my love for art was the idea of using my imagination to create pieces that I could admire both now and in the future. I began making art during middle school, going all the way back to sixth grade. At first, my artwork was clumsy since it was my first experience taking art classes. However, everything changed when I created my first full-body drawing of the video game character Samus. I was incredibly proud of both myself and the final result, and from that moment on, I continued improving and developing my artistic skills in every art class I took.
Throughout the years, I have worked with many different art mediums that require time, patience, and creativity, including photography, clay sculpting, and painting. Exploring these styles has helped me develop a diverse understanding of artistic techniques. However, my strongest and favorite medium is simply pencil and paper. I love sketching, refining drawings multiple times, and carefully filling in each piece while controlling the lighting and shading with only a pencil. Being able to blend and smooth out the artwork makes the piece feel complete and fully brought to life.
During this school year, I explored themes such as culinary art, nature, and thought. These themes played a major role in helping me plan, sketch, and finalize the artwork I created this year. However, the most important theme throughout my work has been emotion. The reason for this is that many of my pieces hold a deep personal connection. Most of the artwork I created was
inspired by feelings of care, happiness, and remembrance. I continued returning to these emotions because they helped me create artwork that I could personally connect with as an artist.
The elements and media I chose also reflect my desire to reconnect with materials I had not used in a long time. For example, I returned to working with clay after not sculpting for over a year and a half. These materials allowed me to revisit skills I had previously learned while also using media I genuinely enjoy.
I hope that those viewing my artwork are able to connect their own ideas, memories, and experiences to the themes presented in my pieces. I also hope viewers begin to question what emotions they personally associate with artwork, not only mine, but art in general.
As I have grown both as a person and as an artist, experiencing a new environment outside of the West Coast of the United States has helped shape the way I view and design my art. My experiences of growing up, exploring new places, and discovering unfamiliar ideas have all influenced my creative process. In addition, the relationships I have built with others through art have introduced me to new mediums, techniques, and passions. These experiences have allowed me to create artwork inspired not only by my own perspective but also by the perspectives of others. Through art, I hope both viewers and artists alike can discover new ideas, emotions, and connections that bring people together.
Honors 1 KEXIN CAI
Kexin Cai is a student artist who mainly works with drawing and mixed media. Her artwork explores emotion, imagination, and personal expression through layering different materials, textures, and techniques. As a student artist, she continues developing her artistic voice while exploring new creative ideas. Currently, she is interested in creating artwork that feels emotional, meaningful, and visually engaging.
I started making art because I enjoyed being creative and expressing my thoughts visually. Over time, art became an important way for me to communicate emotions and ideas. I have focused most on drawing and mixed media because I enjoy combining different materials and techniques to create more expressive artwork. Drawing is one of my strongest skills because I enjoy creating detail, texture, and emotion through lines and shading.
One theme I often return to is emotion and self-expression. I enjoy creating artwork that reflects different feelings, thoughts, and moods. In mixed media, layering materials and textures helps create depth and emotion in my artwork. Different materials allow me to communicate feelings in more creative and expressive ways. I hope viewers feel emotionally connected to my artwork and think about the meaning or emotions behind each piece. My experiences and personal perspective influence the emotions and ideas I include in my artwork. They help me create pieces that feel personal, honest, and expressive.
Honors 1 Olivia Luce
Olivia Luce is originally from Rush Henrietta but recently transferred to Allendale Columbia earlier this year, she is a mixed media artist who enjoys capturing and expressing emotion in her work. Her work often contains charcoal, colored pencil, spray paint, collage material, ect. Inspired by personal emotions and connections, she creates work that captures memories. Earlier this year, Olivia was one of two students from her school to show her work in the START here exhibition, along with that she enjoys volunteering with AutismUp, and working at the nursing home. For the future, Olivia is currently working on working with new medias like clay and shrinky dink, and plans to continue creating art.
From an early age, I’ve been surrounded by art and creativity. I grew up with my grandmother teaching me and my father inspiring me. Since then, I have grown tremendously through practice and time, but one thing has never changed: my father’s support and valuable advice along the way. Art became an outlet for me as soon as I could recognize my own emotions, and it was highly encouraged during some of the toughest times in my life. Ever since I was young, I have dreamed of being half as artistically talented as my father and grandmother. Although I may not be there yet, I will always continue working toward that goal.
I tend to focus on multiple mediums when it comes to creating, though I do have some obvious favorites. The mediums I am most comfortable with and use most often include charcoal, colored pencils, and acrylic paint. I find these mediums easiest to work with because I grew up using them and became familiar with them over time. While I tend to stick to what I’m comfortable with, it is also important for me to step outside my comfort zone by experimenting with mediums such as clay, watercolor, and spray paint. Although these mediums are more challenging for me to use, they are just as enjoyable to work with.
While my work may not seem to have a direct theme, there is one idea I always return to: meaningful people and impactful pieces. This may be especially evident in my piece “Bird Bath,” which was inspired by my late grandmother, who meant the absolute world to me, and in my piece “Love,” which represents issues in today’s world and expresses the need for more love and compassion. I enjoy exploring these themes because they are based on my own experiences and perspectives, meaning there is no right or wrong way to interpret them.
The use of mixed media allows viewers to form their own ideas about my pieces and often leaves them wondering about the true meaning behind the work. I do this to encourage personal reflection and deep thought. I hope my work inspires others to make positive changes in the world while also encouraging peaceful self-discovery.
My art and personal growth would not have been possible without the difficult experiences I have faced and the support I have received from the most important people in my life. Through hardship, I was able to mature and discover what truly matters to me, which continues to inspire both my art and creative mindset. It is because of a few special people that I am where I am today, and I could not be more grateful for those experiences.
Honors 1 AVA PIZARRO
Ava (she/her) is a mixed media artist whose work focuses on the movement, emotion, and expression found in dance. Using photography, sketching, charcoal, and other mixed media techniques, she creates pieces that capture both the physical beauty of dance and the personal connection she feels to it. Inspired by her love for dance and the emotions it brings, Ava approaches art as a way to share that passion with others. She has also explored leadership and collaboration through group projects and studio work. Currently, Ava is interested in expanding her work with photography and experimenting with new ways to capture movement and emotion through the camera lens.
Dance has influenced my artwork because it has always been a major part of my life and identity. As I grew as both a dancer and an artist, I became more interested in capturing movement, emotion, and expression through visual art. Over time, my work has become more detailed and emotional, allowing me to communicate feelings that are difficult to put into words. I mainly work with photography, sketching, and charcoal because those media allow me to show motion and contrast in powerful ways.
Charcoal is one of my greatest strengths because it helps create dramatic movement and shadows within my pieces. Photography also allows me to freeze moments of motion that might otherwise go unnoticed. The theme I return to most often is dance and the emotional connection people have with movement. I am interested in showing both the beauty and the dedication behind dance, including the strength, discipline, and passion it requires.
The materials I use connect closely to my themes: charcoal creates soft movement and strong contrast, while photography captures real movements and emotions. Sketching allows me to experiment with poses, composition, and flowing movement. Together, these media help communicate energy and emotion. When viewers experience my artwork, I hope they feel the passion and emotion behind dance, even if they are not dancers themselves. I want people to notice the beauty in movement and consider how art can convey emotion without words.
My personal experiences with dance have strongly shaped the kind of art I create. Dance has taught me discipline, expression, and confidence, and these experiences continue to influence both the subjects I choose and the emotions I strive to convey through my work.
Honors 1 CALLA SCHWARTZ
Calla Schwartz is a mixed media artist based in Rochester, New York. Her work combines illustration, fiber arts, and painting and is inspired by items found in nature. In the past, Calla’s art has been displayed around school, and she has taken different art classes including photography, 3d art, sewing, and linocut. Calla is currently working on an origami sculpture, as well as crochet pieces that she makes at home.
I have loved making art since elementary school and started creating my personal style in fourth grade. I used to do sketches and illustrations, which I still enjoy mainly, but I have branched out to other mediums such as painting, ceramics, and fiber arts. My greatest strength is crochet, which I have been doing since my freshman year of high school. My favorite theme to explore is materials and formations found in nature, as I have always appreciated the Earth’s raw beauty.
I like to communicate to the viewer that we need to protect the natural environment from human takeover. In this day and age, climate change is rapidly increasing, and I believe that if more people stopped to appreciate the nature around them, and think about the future of our planet, we as a society could majorly decrease global warming and the potential extinction of different species. I hope my art reminds viewers that there is still beauty in the natural world and they can help to keep it that way.
Honors 1 Achanti THongjang
Achanti Thongjang is a mixed-media artist based in Rochester, New York, and a senior at Allendale-Columbia. Achanti’s art focuses mainly on realism, and she works primarily with clay, watercolor, gouache, and dry media. Through her art, she has explored color theory and focuses on the little details that tie a painting together. Inspired by landscapes, natural forms, and vibrant colors, Achanti’s compositions capture the miniature attributes of her references. Growing up in a home and school surrounded by nature, she has cultivated an appreciation for and fascination with its aesthetics. Next in her art journey, Achanti would like to explore abstract art styles and connect them to organic shapes and natural forms.
I can’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t fond of art. My family would always gift me art kits as a child, and as soon as I was able to at school, I took an art elective. Since then, I’ve taken an art class almost every semester for the past 6 years. I’ve experimented with many different art forms and media, from photography and graphic design to charcoal still lifes and gouache paintings. Aesthetics have always been the main focus of my art, and I’ve always been very drawn to wet media. I feel like the materials used for wet media have always given me so much room to experiment with colors and to be very meticulous with the smaller details in my work. I feel like I’ve always been incredibly inspired by nature, so that’s a theme I’ve always included in a majority of my art pieces. I feel like there’s always been a harmony about the nature that inspires my art, and it’s something I strive to replicate. Most of the art I work on features vibrant colors or strong contrast, and I typically try to include some blending of elements in the pieces. I do that to convey a dreamy or nostalgic feeling in my works. I’ve always felt a deep connection to the earth, and as I’ve grown, so has my environmental consciousness. I believe that, as people, it’s easier to care for the earth when you really take a moment to observe the beauty it has to offer. My appreciation of natural beauties like flora and other things in nature has inspired me to incorporate them into my works.
Honors 1 LANAE VARGAS
Lanae Vargas is an artist based in Rochester, New York, whose work is inspired by her Puerto Rican heritage and the nostalgia of Puerto Rico. Using clay, painting, texture, and vibrant colors, she creates pieces that reflect culture, memory, and personal connection. Her artwork often incorporates Puerto Rican staples she grew up around and memories from visiting Puerto Rico.
Inspired by nature, family, and everyday experiences, Vargas uses textures and layers to create meaningful and expressive artwork. She is especially interested in exploring how culture and environment can be expressed through art. As she continues to develop over the next year, she hopes to expand her use of paint, textures, and clay to create more personal pieces.
Growing up with my abuela’s culture and traditions heavily influenced my interest in art. Many things I created are inspired by memories from my childhood, the foods, colors, music, and natural environments I experienced growing up and while visiting Puerto Rico. Art became a way for me to express parts of my identity and connect with my heritage in a personal and creative way. Over time, I have grown more confident in experimenting with different materials and creating work that feels more meaningful and connected to who I am.
The mediums we focus on most are painting and clay because I enjoy how physical and expressive they are. I especially like working with texture and earthy, natural colors because they help my artwork feel organic and alive. I think painting is becoming a strength of mine because it allows me to build depth and create pieces that connect to nature and my culture at the same time. I enjoy combining painting with a sculpture piece; I think it kind of brings it to life.
The theme I continue coming back to most is cultural identity and the connection between nature and heritage. I often incorporate Puerto Rican staples, natural imagery, and textures inspired by landscapes and staples in my environment, I remember from home and visiting Puerto Rico. These elements allow me to communicate feelings of comfort, memory, belonging, and pride in my culture.
The material I work with directly connects to the ideas I want to communicate. The roughness and texture of paint can represent the strength, history, and connection to earth, while the softer greens and blues and layered paint can help create warmth and emotion. I see these elements to make my artwork feel grounded and authentic, reflecting both personal memories and cultural experiences.
When people experience my artwork, I hope they feel a sense of connection, reflection, and curiosity. I want viewers to think about how culture, environment, and memory shape identity, while also finding emotions or experiences they can personally relate to. I hope my work feels comforting and expressive while encouraging people to appreciate the beauty within culture and nature.
My personal experiences and background strongly shape the art I create. Being connected to my Puerto Rican heritage has influenced the places, materials, and imagery I am drawn to. My experiences growing up between different environments and cultures have also made me more interested in themes of identity, belonging, and storytelling. Through my artwork, I am to preserve memories, celebrate culture, and express the connection I feel between people, place, and nature.
Honors 2
MAKAYLA PUTNEY
Makayla is a mixed media artist based in Rochester, New York and originally from North Carolina. She is a Senior at Allendale Columbia who plans to attend Ithaca College to study Physical Therapy. She plays volleyball and gymnastics, and loves spending time with her best friend and teammates. She has been involved in art since an early age exploring different media, developing a strong love in sculptural work with clay and charcoal drawing. Inspired by emotional expression along with internal and external struggles, her work is focused on material exploration, and emotional presence. Her work presented in the show explores healing, memory, and beauty through drawing, sculpture and prints, emphasizing process, care, and emotional presence. Several pieces respond to personal loss and major transitions, allowing materials to hold meaning. Although she does not plan to pursue art as her primary field of study in college, she intends to continue working with clay and charcoal, crafting pieces of work as a meaningful part of her life.
Makayla has been intrigued by art from a young age. She discovered that art allowed her to express her emotions and feelings while also sharing them with those around her through her work. She draws from personal experiences when deciding what to create, carefully considering how each piece will look when finished and how it may be interpreted by viewers. Above all, she hopes her work evokes some kind of emotional response in those who see it.
As she experimented with different artistic mediums and styles, Makayla searched for something she could truly connect with and excel in. She now spends most of her time working with clay, charcoal, and graphite. Through years of studying art, she developed a deep appreciation for creating something functional with her own hands. She is inspired by the delicate process of transforming a single slab of clay into a beautiful work of art, bringing the material to life. She also loves how charcoal and graphite allow her to bring images to life with a gentle hand and patience.
Through clay and charcoal, Makayla is able to channel her emotions and personal struggles into artwork that others may connect with. Over the years, she has become especially drawn to expressing themes of loss in her work—whether it is the loss of oneself, the loss of someone close, or the loss of the ability to express something within. Many of her pieces explore ideas of loss and change. She wants her artwork to carry meaning, even if that meaning is not immediately recognized by the viewer, because each piece holds personal significance for her.
Some of her recent works that reflect these themes include Those Left Behind, a piece that is especially close to her heart. This sculpture, a simple teddy bear, serves as a memorial for a young friend of Makayla’s who passed away in recent years. Another piece, Social Survival, is a three-dimensional representation of the social expectations and pressures placed on both children and adults.
Makayla carefully chooses the materials for each piece based on what will best support its message and overall composition. She considers how the use of color versus black and white can affect the statement her work makes and what visual style best suits the subject matter. Because themes of loss are central to much of her work, charcoal is often an especially effective medium. Its dark tones create a somber atmosphere, giving the artwork a heavy emotional presence. The depth and contrast of charcoal encourage viewers to slow down, observe the details, and fully engage with the piece.
Honors 2 KATIE CHAPADOS
Katie Chapados is a mixed media artist from Pittsford, New York. Her work consists of charcoal drawings that explore emotions of intimacy and contrast, along with ceramic pieces that focus on natural beauty and colors. Her work was influenced by personal experiences and relationships, as well as by her love of and connection to the outdoors, which she shares with her family. She has previously received the Silver Key Award from Scholastic for photography, and her work has been featured in numerous exhibits. Currently, she is experimenting with ceramics, attempting new shapes or glazing pieces at the wrong temperature to create unique pieces.
Katie began her artistic journey at home, exploring paint, ceramics, and jewelry making before joining the art program at Allendale Columbia as a freshman. Now an Honors Art student, she has expanded her technical skills into acrylics and charcoal, though photography remains her greatest strength and most frequent medium, used extensively to document school events and track and field. Her work often centers on the theme of human connection, exemplified by her high-contrast charcoal drawings of figures embracing, where the sharp transition between light and dark emphasizes the importance of interpersonal relationships. This focus on connection is balanced by her ceramic work, which utilizes smooth, curved edges and natural glazes to reflect an organic, grounded aesthetic. By combining the documentary nature of photography with the tactile process of studio art, Katie creates work that encourages viewers to consider their own relationships and their place within the natural world.
Honors 2 JESS CHAPADOS
Jessica Chapados is an artist based in Rochester, New York. She primarily works in painting, often incorporating acrylic medium to create textured, three-dimensional surfaces that bring her pieces to life. Her work is centered around themes of color and nature, with a focus on creating visually engaging pieces that evoke a sense of joy. Chapados is drawn to vibrant palettes and organic forms, often depicting elements such as flowers and waves. She aims to make art that people enjoy looking at, and that leaves them feeling happy and uplifted. Her process typically begins with a painted base, followed by the application of acrylic medium to build texture and dimension. This layered approach allows her to experiment with depth and movement, giving her work a dynamic, almost sculptural quality. Chapados has received multiple Honorable Mentions in the Scholastic Art Awards. She is currently enrolled in Honors Art II and has further developed her skills through coursework in portfolio development, photography, and ceramics. She is currently continuing to explore new ways of combining color, texture, and natural forms, with an interest in expanding the dimensional qualities of her paintings and pushing her work further into mixed media.
Jessica Chapados has loved art ever since she was young. She was always drawing and painting, and throughout her time at AC she explored many different mediums and styles. Through these experiences, she discovered that painting was the medium she connected with most, especially when incorporating acrylic medium to add texture and dimension to her work. She enjoys experimenting with the many ways acrylic medium can be used and plans to continue developing her technique in the future.
The main theme Jessica continues to explore in her artwork is joy through nature and color. She is drawn to bright colors, flowers, the ocean, birds, and places that make her feel calm and happy. Her goal is to create artwork that gives viewers a positive feeling and brings them happiness when they look at it. Much of her inspiration comes from the things she personally loves, including boating, nature, and meaningful places from her life, making her work feel personal and authentic.
Color plays an important role in communicating emotion throughout Jessica’s artwork. She uses vibrant colors and textured materials to create energy, movement, and happiness within her pieces. The acrylic medium adds a three-dimensional quality that helps make the artwork feel more alive and interactive. The combination of texture and color allows her to express emotions creatively and visually.
When viewers experience her artwork, Jessica hopes they feel joy and inspiration. She wants her pieces to be uplifting, visually engaging, and enjoyable to look at. As she continues to grow as an artist, she hopes to further explore the relationship between texture, color, and nature while continuing to develop her personal artistic style.
