Recently, four our Senior art students received recognition for their works in the Wharton Esherick switchboard competition. Most years, Little Flower art students look forward to their printmaking unit. Due to covid restrictions however, Mrs. Diehl had to switch gears and introduced switchboard. For this project, our students were given the topic of Wharton Esherick. Every year, the Wharton Esherick museum holds an imprint competition for art students around Philadelphia. The guidelines for this project were very loose, allowing our students to find inspiration in something of their own. Sarah Howard, Skylar Jones, Norah Fletcher and Aliah Rodriguez all received recognition for their works.  

 
Aliah Rodirguez received honorable mention in this competition and placed 4th out of 45 entries. Her inspiration for this incredible work came from her grandmother's vase, something she saw while walking around her house. For Aliah, art can be an escape mechanism and a source of relaxation. For Aliah, “there is no pressure” in the art room. She attributes this to the art department for creating a welcoming community for all.  

Another senior, Sarah Howard, was a finalist in this competition. Sarah’s inspiration was not as direct as Aliah’s. While searching for a subject, Sarah knew she wanted to do something different, something she had never seen before. She then found a model of a human skull in her house and knew exactly what she would do her project on. She found great interest in the dynamic of a human skull, being “one big thing made of many components, all coming together.” After graduating from Little Flower, Sarah will enter a physician's assistant program in college, something she is really looking forward to. However, as a lifelong artist, she still plans to incorporate art into her life at college however she can. Sarah also credits Mrs. Diehl and the entire art department for having a significant impact on her art journey. Specifically, she said that Mrs. Diehl “creates independence and confidence” in her students through her gentle guidance. 

 
Skylar Jones was also a finalist in this competition. The inspiration behind Skylar’s work came from her lifelong love for teddy bears. She felt this symbolized herself well. Skylar explained that her passion for art was not immediate, as she did not take it as seriously until her Junior year. Skylar has an incredibly creative mind who looks for inspiration in all she does. Her advice for younger students interested in art is to “jump right in… you will eventually start to love it.” After graduation, Skylar will attend Thomas Jefferson University, where she plans to study interior design.  

 
We are enormously proud to have such creative and passionate students at Little Flower. While we will miss our seniors next year, we are looking forward to seeing the incredible things they go on to do.