Nine SHS Student-Artists Tabbed for ‘Through the Student Lens,’ Congressional Art Competition Exhibits

Juniors Alexia Coleman, Mariam Aleksanyan tabbed for both exhibits; Ms. Aleksanyan’s ‘Folding Fabrics’ named Best in School

Junior Rylan Workman earns another honor for ‘A Big Birdie Told Me’ sketch

SALEM (Mar. 14, 2025) – Mariam Aleksanyan and Alexia Coleman, juniors at Salem High School, were each selected for the ‘Through the Student Lens’ art exhibit at the Marblehead Arts Association and the Congressional Art Competition at the Montserrat College of Art, SHS art educator Kristen McCarthy announced recently.

The Congressional Art Competition features artwork from 22 high schools spanning North of Boston while Through the Student Lens encompasses the work of student-artists from local high schools including Salem, Phillips Academy, Bishop Fenwick, Gloucester and Marblehead.

The Congressional Art Competition is on display at Montserrat Thursday, Mar. 13 and Friday, Mar. 14 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.). Through Student Lens is on display at the MAA from Mar. 1-Apr. 12 (at which each of the images from the Salem students is available for purchase).

Ms. Aleksanyan’s work in the Congressional Art Competition, titled ‘Folding Fabrics,’ earned the honor of Best in School among all SHS submissions. The black and white pencil sketch depicts different fabrics – presumably clothing, towels and blankets – draped over a wooden chair seemingly in the shape of someone sitting.

Ms. Coleman’s vibrant piece, ‘Ota-Salem Sister City Peace Day Festival,’ is a tribute of sorts to the actual festival in Ota, Japan, the sister city of Salem. The two cities have shared a student exchange program for 30 years.

The photograph shows a Japanese woman interacting with a busy food vendor at the festival with dynamic use of red and yellow pastels and Japanese verbiage.

“Getting to see my students’ work in a competition or exhibition is really exciting, and as an art teacher, it is incredibly fulfilling to see the process of their learning and growth, and getting to see their final pieces displayed,” said Ms. McCarthy. “I feel that these exhibitions are a great opportunity to celebrate students’ hard work and creativity and also to see their art recognized and appreciated by a wider audience.”

Ms. Aleksanyan’s ‘Folding Fabrics’ and Ms. Coleman’s ‘Peace Day Festival’ were among four pieces showcased by SHS student-artists at the Congressional Art Exhibit at Montserrat.

Also selected to the Congressional Art Competition was ‘A Big Birdie Told Me,’ by junior Rylan Workman, whose inclusion marked the second honor for his piece. The colored pencil sketch also received Gold Key honors in the Scholastic Writing and Art Awards and is on display at Tufts University until Mar. 22.

Also displayed in the Congressional contest was a photograph titled ‘Sunday’ by junior Sam Mulligan, depicting a full clothesline of whites outside a concrete building in vibrant sunlight casting significant shadow.

Ms. Aleksanyan and Ms. Coleman were among six SHS students selected for the Through the Student Lens exhibit.

Ms Aleksanyan’s image titled ‘Wound Up’ shows a rolled up strip of card stock paper mindful of a ‘@’ symbol.

Ms. Coleman’s ‘Northern Lights,’ is a stunning photograph presumably taken during the rare Aurora Borealis appearance on the North Shore over the summer. The image marked her second selection in as many years for the Through the Student Lens exhibit after her photograph titled ‘Pinhole and Positive Pinhole’ was selected a year ago.

Joining Ms. Aleksanyan and Ms. Coleman in the Through the Student Lens exhibit were:

• Senior Gabriel Bennett, chosen for his photograph titled ‘Gnome,’ in which the colorful gnome is an ideal contrast to the towering wolf statue.
• Junior Casey Benson, selected for her photograph ‘Explosion,’ a colorful and clever use of the game Battleship.
• Freshman Aunhyl Ramirez with her unique image titled ‘Nest,’ depicting an egg creatively surrounded by crepe paper in black and white with dominant shadow.
• Freshman Madison Leonard for the colorful ‘Simplicity,’ featuring perfectly diagonally lined red and clear glass orbs against a black and white backdrop.
• Postgraduate student and SHS Class of 2024 alumnae Caroline Devoe for her image ‘Through the Haze,’ which shows the complexion of presumably an Asian woman surrounded by colorful flowers.

“All of these shows have only a limited amount of students or artworks that are allowed so it is a great honor to have work selected for any of the shows,” Ms. McCarthy noted. ”I think this recognition is really important as it can help to boost students’ self confidence and also help to reinforce the value of creativity in schools. It helps to ensure that the arts and students in the arts receive the respect and attention that they deserve.”

2025 Through the Student Lens Exhibit at the Marblehead Arts Association

2025 Congressional Art Competition at Montserrat College of Art

About Salem Public Schools

Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are all passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens we view all of our work through. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff serve all of our students, regardless of ability or language. Salem Public Schools enrolls approximately 4,000 students across its eleven schools.