A rising junior at Towson High School is being featured this summer in an exhibit highlighting young artists that currently is on display at the National Art Education Association in Alexandria, Va.
Grace Sheridan, of Towson, 16, is the only student from Maryland whose work is included in the exhibit, which features art from members of the National Art Honor Society nationwide. Sheridan has one piece in the exhibit, a self-portrait.
This is the first year for the exhibition, National Art Education Association spokesperson Kate Harvey said. Teachers at various high schools submitted the work for consideration, and this year all entries were accepted, Harvey said.
For Sheridan, it's an opportunity to have her work seen outside the classroom.
"I think I'm really privileged to have this opportunity," Sheridan said, adding that she would like to be a professional artist.
She describes the piece included in the exhibit as an alternate portrait. She began with a sketch she did in class and built onto it, adding more in a "stream of consciousness" style, she said, making additions as the thought came to her. The result is a piece with layers of colors and text, with a focus on her eyes and wide-brimmed glasses.
Sheridan will handle publicity for Towson High School's National Art Honor Society during the 2016-2017 school year. She joined the group to work with other young artists. This summer she intends to focus on her art, and printing existing pieces into posters and patches to wear on clothing.
"It's neat to see your kids grow up to be interesting people," Sheridan's mother, Sarah Sheridan, said.
The exhibit will be up at the National Art Education Association headquarters, located at 901 Prince St., in Alexandria, through Aug. 31.