Entries and artist statements in the Visual Arts category for the 2025 Reflections contest sponsored by Adams Middle School PTSA. The entry that receives the Award of Excellence advances to the next round. Click here to return to the 2025 Gallery main page.
VA-MS-09.jpg"This work is my reflection on the concept of belonging. Each piece is a piece of my world: my school, my swim team, cross-country runs, the rhythm of band practice, the laughter of friends, the places I like, and the constant love of my family. On their own, these pieces might seem separate, but together they form the full picture of me.
As I fit each piece into place, I’m reminded that every experience, every connection, and every moment has a purpose. They all belong— just as I do."
VA-MS-06.JPGMy artwork titled "Unlock Your Door" relates to the theme of belonging because it showcases that you can't be afraid to step outside of your door, and not hold yourself back. You have look around, and see that you do belong, and instead of trapping yourself inside somewhere dark and empty, you should pick up that key and unlock yourself to the light that shows you belong anywhere, and that you should have confidence, and you shouldn't doubt yourself.
VA-MS-01.pngThe theme of “I Belong” I think is a feeing, a feeling of acceptance. Of “belonging” to a group or a community- even if you think you stand out, to be a part of a larger world- opening up to new possibilities. In this piece, it depicts a worn warrior, looking at spider lilies. In Japanese culture, these flowers resemble death. It depicts “death” as a “death” of memories, the feeling of emptiness buried and gone. Instead being embraced by ghostly hands lifting her up and holding her face.
VA-MS-04-02.jpgVA-MS-04-03.jpgMy artwork shows through bold lines, brushstrokes and color that we are connected and belong.The people in my drawing are silhouettes, the color around them representing their energy. They all have light bulbs, representing how they shine their light. The tree they are interacting with is a metaphor for them all being connected through the tree, just like how we all are through our community. I hope my art inspires others to spot the small things in life that connects them to other lights in the world.
VA-MS-05-02.jpgMy reflection artwork, The Feather of Hope, is based on how we can all be imperfect by how the wings are in every different shade of color. This relates to the theme by showing how we all may be imperfect in many ways, but we still can all make beautiful things. I also added many dandelions to show how we are all imperfect by making them odd but still together, because dandelions always stick together. Even when other people may not seem imperfect, they are. Loving ourselves makes us accept our imperfections and is a great feeling.
VA-MS-10.jpegSoccer is more than a game to me. It is where I feel accepted, supported and part of something bigger. When I play, I know I belong because we share the same goal. This painting represents how teamwork, friendship and passion make everyone feel included.
VA-MS-12.pngI belong when I’m part of something bigger- when we share, give and renew together. The characters in my piece all work together, catching and pouring the tears that cycle between each of them. We’re all a part of the system; giving, another receives, and it all comes back around. Each character carries its unique experiences and challenges. The soft color palette symbolizes hope; dark red represents the challenges of life. Despite differences, they continue to pour into the same cycle- supporting, sharing, and reusing, staying connected and contributing even when each person faces different challenges.
VA-MS-02-01.jpegVA-MS-02-02.jpegVA-MS-02-03.jpegMy painting shows how even if we are different, we still matter and belong. Diversity expands possibilities when we work together as a team, building each other up, and supporting one another. This art piece presents a group of diverse people, who can still work together with a sense of belonging and home, because home isn't always a place, but a few very special people. These people feel like they belong because of the people around them.
VA-MS-03-01.pdfVA-MS-03-02.pdfVA-MS-03-03.pdfThe first drawing is me and my preschool friends. The second one is of me and my friend on Halloween. The third one is of me and my volleyball team. The fourth one is of my friends and I after 5th grade promotion. The fifth one is of me and my friends at JGs. The sixth one is of me and my friends after our friend's performance. The seventh one is at multicultural night. The last one is in fourth grade. The hands in the middle symbolize friendship. This relates to the theme because it shows I was happy.
VA-MS-07.jpegI wanted to illustrate that we’re all like flowers, creating beautiful bouquets. Some flowers look exceptionally well together, while others clash, having contrasting colors or drastically different meanings. Some flowers fit into a bouquet with tons of other flowers, while others only fit in with one or two. But overall, no matter how different one bouquet will look from the other, each and every flower would belong to a bouquet.
VA-MS-08.jpegThe theme for this year, “I Belong” stumped me quite a bit. I didn't know what to submit until I started doodling during class. The doodles were a plethora of aliens, some small, some large, and they were very chaotic. All of these aliens are different yet harmonious in unique ways. The polaroid of these microscopic creatures are all different though they belong. They’re chaotic but represent the spectrum of various personalities that each and every one of us has. No matter who you are, how you identify, or what your physical appearance is, you belong.
VA-MS-11.pdfI belong to God. This beautiful life was created by Him, and so was I. I am grateful for everything God has brought into my life and for all the people and blessings I belong to. I wish that every child knows they belong to a loving family and to God, who blesses us and keeps us safe from all evil.
VA-MS-13.jpgMy painting shows six blue balloons and one red balloon. The red balloon stands out but it still fits in with the rest.