2024 Artists on the Rise: Virtual Exhibit

Artists on the Rise is a collection of works from students grades 9-12. While most come from students in the greater Danbury Area, student work from other parts of Connecticut are represented as well. The exhibition includes works from over one hundred students in a wide range of media including, photography, ceramic, painting, drawing, and more. The inspiration for their works comes from their own experiences reflecting a diverse exploration of creative endeavors. This juried event provides young artists the opportunity to have their work shown to the public in a professional environment. Awards are given across media and for best-in-show.

Animations

Ashar Velez
Danbury High School
Grade 9
Video
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About the Jurors

Lisa Scroggins

Lisa has lived mostly in urban settings; in contrast her creative thinking often turns to nature and organic forms. The artist’s love of ceramics began in high school and progressed through college and beyond. She attended the Rhode Island School of Design, and Parsons School of Design in New York City, graduating with a BFA in graphic design. She currently spends her week working at Silvermine Arts Center, as well as teaching all areas of art to students K through 12th grade, and creates whimsical ceramics at her Connecticut studio.

Shannon Riley

Shannon has been a resident of Brookfield for many years. She earned her BFA Studio Art from The College of New Rochelle and a MS in Education from Western Connecticut State University. She has been teaching for over 15 years at Brewster High School in Brewster, NY. She works in mixed media and currently serves as a member of the Brookfield Arts Commission.

Melissa Ralston-Jones

Melissa serves as a special appointment professor of Gallery Studies at Western Connecticut State University and has operated as the gallery curator since 2013. She received a BA in American History with a minor in museum studies from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego and an MFA in museum studies from Johns Hopkins University. After working in education in both the primary and secondary systems, Melissa opened a fiscally sponsored non-profit art gallery, Gallery 46, in Vernon Connecticut. She served as a board member and later as assistant director and interim acting director for the newly formed arts organization, Vernon Community Arts Center (now renamed Arts Center East). Currently, Melissa is the interim executive director for the Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden in North Salem, NY.

A Message from the Executive Director

As we move toward our 75th anniversary in 2027, we continue to find new ways to engage our community and promote creativity and personal growth. Among these are classes offered to students from specific area high schools, professional development programs for teachers, and, new this year, an artist-in-residence program that will take place in August.

Exhibited, but not pictured: