2025 NAHS Legacy Artwork

 In 1978 the National Art Education Association began the National Art Honor Society program for high school students for the purpose of inspiring and recognizing those students who have shown an outstanding ability in the visual arts. The National Art Honor Society strives to aid members in working toward the attainment of the highest standards in the visual arts, and bringing art education to the attention of the school and community.

To become a member of the National Art Honor Society, a student must have an overall GPA of 3.25, have taken two level of art, maintain at least a B in their art classes, complete 16 hours of art related community service each year, and as a senior must leave behind a legacy piece as a gift to Brevard High School. These art pieces will be permanently on display in the school.

Zoe Axtell 

Zoe’s piece, titled Burst Your Bubble, is acrylic on canvas and uses bubbles as a symbol of childhood joy. It serves as a reminder to protect your joys and not let yourself or others burst them or burst anyone else's bubble. Zoe is attending UNC Chapel Hill with a major in Biology with plans to attend medical school and be an anesthesiologist.

Rose Coykendall 

Rose’s watercolor painting, titled Transformation, uses her favorite animal, a swan, as a metaphor for growing up. The transformation of finding oneself in high school is like that of a swan from awkward to beautiful. Swans are loyal, wise, graceful, and peaceful--all attributes to aim for in life. Rose is attending UNC Charlotte and majoring in art.

Isabela Emaus 

Isabela’s acrylic on wood piece, Where Hope Grows, is a tribute to the students we have lost in the past 4 years at BHS due to mental health. Each of the big flowers stands for a life that touched our hearts and a reminder that even in grief, hope can take root. You are not alone. Isabela is going to Western Carolina and majoring in Early Childhood/Elementary Education.

Saya Geer-Hardwick 

Saya’s water based oil painting, Every Which Where and Here, uses doors as a symbol of decisions we make. The painting is a reminder that all the wonder and adventure comes from running with whatever choice we make, whatever door we choose to open. Saya is attending Davidson College and majoring in environmental science.

Keith Malo 

Keith, NAHS vice president, created a mixed media artwork with colored pencil on a book cover. Titled Wagging Your Tail to the Right, it is a memorial dedicated to Ellery Zink, with each image connecting to a memory of their childhood and friendship. Keith is attending UNC Charlotte and majoring in art with an art history minor and intends to work as an art conservationist.

Elena Masters 

Elena’s pencil drawing "Banana," represents how putting meaning behind something isn't always the key to making art.  Elena says “I create based on what I feel looks cool and what I am passionate about... To force "meaning" behind every little detail ruins my motivation, making my art feel disingenuous.”  Elena is going to UNC Greensboro this fall to study environmental biology.

Ella Mooney 

Ella, NAHS secretary, used watercolor to represent the beauty and fluidity of human life in her piece, Window of Time. Inspired by her favorite teachers and classes, this artwork reflects the profound influence of education in shaping identity and perspective. Ella is attending The University of North Carolina Wilmington in the fall to pursue a career as a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

Diana Rosas Antonio 

Diana’s mixed media piece, titled Chaotic Spring, has paper flowers blooming their way out of the canvas, symbolizing the growth one can gain by stepping out of their comfort zone to stand out amongst the chaotic crowd, but also allows one to find kindred spirits. Diana is attending Appalachian State and majoring in Chemistry to become an anesthesiologist.

Kayla Studt 

Kayla, President of NAHS, created Metamorphosis in mixed media to represent the change one goes through in high school to who they want to be rather than what others tell them. Kayla is attending UNC Charlotte and majorings in Art Education to one day be an art teacher.

Lillian Vanderburg 

Lillian’s piece Fractum Mori, or dying fruit, is painted with acrylic on canvas and represents finding light in difficult situations. Lillian acted as our party planner this year and will be attending Brevard College and double majoring in visual and performing arts.