Six SHS Student-Artists Tabbed for ‘Through the Student Lens’ Exhibit at Marblehead Arts Association
Seniors Mariam Aleksanyan, Sam Mulligan featured for second straight year
SALEM (Mar. 26, 2026) – Mariam Aleksanyan and Sam Mulligan, both seniors at Salem High School, were selected to the ‘Through the Student Lens’ art exhibit at the Marblehead Arts Association for the second straight year, SHS art educator Kristen McCarthy announced last week.
The ‘Through the Student Lens’ exhibit encompasses the work of student-artists from local high schools including Salem, Marblehead, Rockport, Lynn Technical H.S. and Gloucester, along with Phillips Academy, The Winsor School, Buckingham, Browne & Nichols, Monomoy Regional, and The Waring School.
‘Through the Student Lens’ is on display at the Marblehead Arts Association from Feb. 28-Apr. 11. Each of the images from the Salem students is available for purchase for $100.
View the Images
“I was impressed with the amount of students who submitted their work this year and the diversity of work submitted,” said Ms. McCarthy, who received nearly 30 submissions this year. “It was clear that many students are taking photographs on their own time and applying what they have learned in their photography and art classes to their own work.”
Joining Ms. Aleksanyan and Ms. Mulligan in the Exhibit are seniors Aiden Ray, Genesis Espaillat Abreu, and Carly Mannino, and sophomore Harold Rivas.
After earning Best in School honors among SHS’s submissions in the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for her sketch titled ‘Folding Fabrics,’ Ms. Aleksanyan’s photograph titled ‘Vietnam,’ depicts vibrant red Vietnamese flags and plush vegetation surrounding a courtyard.
Ms. Mulligan’s piece titled ‘Laundry,’ displays a clothesline hanging alongside presumably a warm climate home full of whites and colors, echoing a sense of simplicity.
Conversely, Mr. Rivas’ photo called ‘Winter Day’ portrays a scene all too familiar with New England residents: The beauty of a snow-frosted tree outside a rural home, presumably right after a significant snowstorm.
Perhaps the most creative use of color is displayed in Ms. Mannino’s image titled ‘Refraction,’ which illustrates seemingly a silver roulette ball illuminated by the effects of blacklight, enabling it to reflect an abundance of fluorescent colors.
‘Temple,’ by Ms. Espaillat Abreu, shows presumably an ancient Central American pyramid taken from a low angle to illustrate its massive stature. Ms. Espaillat Abreu’s image also evokes the wonder of how these structures were built by hand centuries ago.
The beauty and power of a muscle car engine stands out in Mr. Ray’s image ‘Willy’s Americar,’ in which the engine’s shine, reflection and muscle dominates. Also effective is the hue of the automobile – a hint of aqua green surrounding the engine.
“This student work was chosen partially due to the technical skill, but these photographs stood out among others because they also show that students were really thinking about composition, lighting and communicating an idea or mood,” Ms. McCarthy said. “Each photograph shows that the student put thought and intention into their photograph, drawing viewers in and inviting them to look a little longer.”
The ‘Through the Student Lens’ exhibition is sponsored by Hunt’s Photo and Video.
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.
