Senior OH art Students Madison McNanna, Ava Rose Michelon, and Marah Pierce were recently rewarded for their creative endeavors as they had their art displayed at ArtSpace Chicago this month as part of the 2025 Art ConnectED showcase. This showcase is made to highlight up-and-coming artists in the Chicagoland area by giving them a platform to show their art.
“They’re already making connections, because a lot of people that are affluent will go there and they’re looking at rising artists,” said Fine Arts Department Chair Michael Skura.
While getting their art out into the public eye is important, being in the showcase is important to these students. “It feels great because art’s so important in my life, it’s been a thing that’s been a constant since I was little,” said McNanna.
To these students, art isn’t simply an activity; it’s an important part of who they are. It is an opportunity for creative expression and a way to get their feelings out.
“Art has always been something that I used as an outlet,” said McNanna.
These students are being recognized for their dedication to art throughout their lives and the pieces it has allowed them to create, even from a young age.
“I’ve always been drawing, since I was little,” said Pierce. She has made a great deal of progress since she first began, reaching a level of being recognized at an important art showcase.
Art can be used as an opportunity to explore more creatively than simply making a representation of what they see, either by interpreting it differently or drawing from their mind.
“I love drawing people and creating original characters and stories with my art,” said Michelon.
Art changes how people see the world by seeing it through a more creative perspective. Seeing the world this way also gives a break from the instant gratification system of technology.
“Sometimes if I see something and I’m inspired to, I’ll paint it up,” said Pierce
Art can also bring people together, even inspiring more artists to do more with their art. This can create a system where everyone inspires others and becomes more inspired in turn, ensuring art becomes an important method of bringing people together.
“When I see my friends, I see their art, [and] it inspires me to also get better,” said McNanna.
The ConnectED Art Showcase is recognizing these students for their contributions and dedication to the art world, and helping them inspire others to do the same.
My name is Monaco Tiffany. I am a senior at Oswego High School and Oswego East High School. This is my second year as part of 42Fifty. I am serving as one of the Managing Editors for 42Fifty. I am involved in the frc robotics team 2338 Gear It Forward.
You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication
[…] “For me, my art is just a form of self-expression, but also a way to show rather than tell the things I care about, like my family or the media I enjoy,” said OH senior Madison McNanna, who recently had her art displayed at ArtSpace Chicago. […]
[…] “Para mí, mi Arte es solo una forma de expresión-personal, pero también una manera de enseñar en vez de hablar de las cosas que me importan, como mi familia o las cosas que me gustan,” dijo OH estudiantes de último año Madison McNanna, quien recientemente tuvo su Arte mostrada en el artspace Chicago. […]