Two dark haired teen boys’ heads and shoulders from behind as they gaze at a framed piece of artwork on a painted brick wall – there is light shining on them coming from a window to the right of the art and some of their facial features are visible in the reflection of the glass in the framed artwork.

Congratulations to the students whose winning pieces were chosen for top recognition in the ARTfactory’s 20th Annual Off the Wall art exhibit and competition.

Each year, area high school students are invited to share their talent by participating in a high school art exhibit and competition presented by the ARTfactory. This exhibit and competition are an opportunity for students to demonstrate their creativity and express themselves through art in a professional setting. Each category is judged by a professional in that field. Through connections to events offered by community agencies like this, students can learn how skills transfer from the classroom to higher education, the office or workspace, and the greater community.

The Prince William County Public Schools students who placed in this year’s Off the Wall art exhibit include:

Category – Photography

  • First place: Kearstin Safford, “Rumination,” Gainesville High School, 12th grade
  • Second place: Natalie Chunn, “Flowers,” Gainesville High School, 10th grade
  • Third place: Elizabeth Brittingham, “Framework,” Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School, 12th Grade
  • Honorable mention: Ian Ortiz, “The Lonely Beach,” Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School, 12th Grade

Category - Art and Technology

  • First place: Lyndsey Mccuen, “Getting Older,” Gainesville High School, 12th Grade
  • Second place: Chuni Zhang, “To Set Fire,” Battlefield High School, 12th Grade
  • Third place: Kathryn Quintiliano, “Life Before the Light,” Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School, 12th Grade
  • Honorable mention: Isaiah Minnis, “Alter Ego,” Gainesville High School, 12th Grade

Category – Poetry

  • Second place: Isabella Carter, “Cement,” Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School, 11th Grade
  • Third place: Aidan Sadler, “The Poetic Twist,” Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School, 12th Grade

Category – Painting and Drawing

  • First place: Denise Kamgaing Guiadem, “Home,” Acrylic on canvas, Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School, 12th Grade
  • Second place: Ava Schelling, “Descension,” Graphite, Woodbridge High School, 11th Grade
  • Third place: Gabriela Molina Otaiza, “Zoo,” Mixed media (acrylic paint and fabric), Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School, 12th Grade
  • Honorable mentions:
    • Madison Gibbs, “Uncomfortable Emotions,” Acrylic on paint paper, Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School, 12th Grade
    • Jai Park, “Lia,” Oil pastel, Gainesville High School, 12th Grade

Category – Wearable Art

  • First place: Zahila Subzwari, “Dramatic Reflections of Emotions,” Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School, 10th Grade
  • Second place: Hannah Durham, “Elegant Disaster,” Forest Park High School, 12th Grade

The exhibit included all those chosen to compete and display their work at this event. View the list of all participating students. Additional information can be found on the ARTfactory website.

Take a virtual walk through the exhibit to see some of the winning pieces and their artists.