On May 8, Ursuline Academy proudly hosted the 2024–2025 Art Awards, honoring the exceptional creativity and talent of its student artists. This year’s juried exhibition, on display from April 28 through May 9, transformed the Theater lobby into a vibrant gallery showcasing works across a wide range of media. Local artist Beka Johnson served as juror, thoughtfully selecting standout pieces alongside Visual Arts faculty in categories including Studio Art, Ceramics, Book Arts & Printmaking, Film, Fused Glass, Digital Photography, and Pocket Photography. The event highlighted the depth of artistic expression within the Ursuline community and celebrated the students’ dedication to their craft. 

The Visual Arts Department also took a moment to honor the career of Mrs. Leah Schlief-Freese, who is retiring after 46 years of teaching ceramics at Ursuline. Department Chair Dr. Jocelyn Holmes shared heartfelt words of gratitude:

“Your passion for ceramics and fused glass has left a lasting impact on countless students. Your commitment to education and the arts has been truly inspiring. As you retire, we present you with a bouquet of your own graduation roses. But don't worry, we won't make you curtsy!"

 

Calendar Awards

Each year the Visual Arts department collaborates with members of the Development Team to create a calendar that showcases student artwork. This calendar is presented as a token of appreciation to our school's benefactors. Artists selected to receive a calendar award will have their work published in the 2026 Ursuline desk calendar.

January

Maddie Bazan '27, Colorado Sunrise (Pocket Photography)    

February

Sarah Kim '27, Internal Botanicals (Studio Art III & IV)

March

Alexandrea Sfikas '26, Contemplation (Studio Art III & IV)

April

Eloise Love '25, Ethereal (AP Studio Art)

May

Brynn Sanford '28, My Home on the Road (Studio Art II)

June

Darby Dunn '28, Sunset on Fire (Pocket Photography)

July

Avery Garner '26, Water Balance (Studio Art III & IV)

August

Susan Quinn Kariger '27, Inner Self (Studio Art III & IV)

September

Emmy Richardson '28, The Safe Space (Studio Art I)        

October

Laurel O'Brien '25, Wishing (AP Studio Art)

November

Mehr Dhall '28, Sunset at North Shore (Studio Art I)        

December

Gemma Randles '28, Dogs Playing in the Snowy Mountains (Pocket Photography)

ESSE Awards

Front Cover

Alexandrea Sfikas '26, Something Fishy (Studio Art III & IV)

Back Cover

Avery Garner '26, Water Balance (Studio Art III & IV)

Outstanding Senior Artist

• Laurel O'Brien '25, Escaping Loch Ness (AP Studio Art)

Award of Artistic Merit

• Paolina Hunt '26, Daydreaming (Studio Art III & IV)

Artistic Achievement

• Gabriela Garza '25, Rose Sombrero (Ceramics II & III)
• Annabella Dunn '25, Fire and Ice (Book Arts & Papermaking)
• Tula Charalambopoulos '26, Wherever You Go, That's Where You Are. (Film)
• Lainee Lam '28, Life Savers (Studio Art I)
• Annabella Dunn '25, Prince (Printmaking)
• Annabella Dunn '25, Reconnection (Studio Art II)
• Natalie Kahl '25, Italian Day (Fused Glass)
• Amaka Akpom '27, Facecard (Digital Photography II, III & IV)
• Alice Dean '25, Skyline (AP Studio Art)
• Alexandrea Sfikas '26, Something Fishy (Studio Art III & IV)
• Maggie Fleischer '25, Broken Poppy (Ceramics I)

 

First Place Artistic Achievement

• Victoria Ibarra '25, Pretty in Pink (Studio Art II)
• Adri Gonzalez '26, Portrait of a Sister (Pocket Photography)
• Bella Barbero '26, Echoes in Color (Ceramics Non-Functional)
• Gabriela Garza '25, Fairy Home Teapot (Ceramics II & III)
• Catalina Rosales '25, Fading (Film)
• Rylee Heidemann '28, Side by Side (Printmaking)
• Luci Kerns '27, Book 2 (Book Arts & Papermaking)
• Maggie Fleischer '25, Broken Poppy (Fused Glass)
• Annabelle Copley '27, Lipgloss (Digital Photography II, III & IV)
• Ariana Ellis '26, Rooftop Bar (AP Studio Art)
• Lila Matthiesen '25, Austin (Studio Art III & IV)

Honorable Mention

• Zoe Westling '25, Death on your Bookshelf (Ceramics Non-Functional)
• Eva Winwood '26, The light within (Book Arts & Papermaking)
• Camila Romo '28, Painted (Film)
• Luca Sabogal '28, Bougie Berry (Printmaking)
• Hannah Dietsch '27, VIVID POP! (Digital Photography II, III & IV)
• Madeline Thomas '28, Stand (Digital Photography I)
• Emmy Richardson '28, The Safe Space (Studio Art I)
• Vivian Xu '25, New Lifestyle (Studio Art III & IV)
• Tabitha Ellis '25, Fall fracture (Fused Glass)
• Emma Velasquez '25, Whimsical dreams (AP Studio Art)
• Erin Williams '28, Buzzing Bee (Digital Photography I)
• Katie Howells '28, Ocean Eyes (Ceramics I)
• Sarah Kim '27, Nostalgic Totoro (Studio Art II)