American University Museum "The Teen Experience"

The Teen Experience
Curated by Mygenet Harris and Sarah Harnish

Artists:

Amber Maren Auth, Helen Besch, Kia Brazhnikova, Daisy Byer-Tuohey, Mason Cameron, Edie Castano, Jaia Castro, Annalyn Chao, Erika Chen, Kibb Chisambisha, Asher Coelho, Maisie Elliott, Olivia Ensign, Tessa Gonzalez-Ferrette, P. Arwyn Hager, Juan Hernandez-Cabrera, Etian Huang, Mirivan Kim, Nari Kim, Ryan Kirsch, Anastasia Kondratenko, Mads Maarbjerg, Johnette Manongdo, Giselle Mayorga, Natalie McMurry, Mia Melton, Jaycin Messer, Lily Pacuit, Léda Pelton, Lois Proeller, Rebecca Rhodes, Elizabeth Shanefelter, Alanna Sidlowski, Abigail Stark, Bilen Tamirat, Mayira Tonti, Mikayla Vesper, Alex Weiss, Max Zonov

What is it like to be a teen right now?

The Teen Experience is a powerful, immersive exhibition showcasing artwork and installations by teen artists from the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Visual Art Center, the oldest and longest-running magnet program within Montgomery County Maryland Public Schools. Through drawings, paintings, mixed media, and large-scale, interactive environments, these emerging artists offer a raw and honest glimpse into the realities of teen life in 2025.

The exhibition explores the emotional landscape of today’s youth, touching on identity, mental health, social and digital pressure, school, family, and the unspoken moments in between. Visitors will encounter spaces like a recreated teen bedroom, a school hallway, and even bathroom stalls layered with messages that reveal the inner thoughts and private lives of teens. Each piece invites conversation, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the modern teen experience.

American University Museum is proud to be one of the venues for The Museum of Contemporary American Teenagers (MOCAT)’s Totally Teen Summer, along with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and the Kennedy Center. David Lopilato, founder of MOCAT, notes that the program is marking 100 years since the term “teenager” was first recognized in American culture.

This is not just a show about teenagers. It is by teenagers, featuring their words, their worries, their art, and their stories. Whether you’re a teen, a parent, a student, or someone reflecting on your own coming-of-age, The Teen Experience invites you to connect, reflect, and see the world through their eyes.

Opening Reception: June 14, 6-9 pm    

Artist Talk: June 27, 2-3 pm

Special Thanks: 

Ms. Farah, Ms. Harper, Mr. Ruttkay, and the AU Exhibition Team.