Emily Chen (Age 17) - based in Boston, MA

I visited Man-made Land by Caroline Monnet, an exhibition that combines art, architecture, and cultural history. Instead of traditional materials, Monnet uses industrial building materials such as plastic, insulation foil, and Tyvek—materials normally used to construct cities. Through cutting and repeating these materials into geometric, flower-like forms, the artist transforms construction elements into visual symbols of land and human intervention. The patterns are inspired by Indigenous...

As a high school student reporter, I had the opportunity to attend the 2025 XC Creative Art Contest award ceremony and exhibition. The event not only showcased outstanding student works, but also created space for dialogue and reflection—allowing me to see new possibilities for art in both the present and the future. With the support of Massachusetts State Representative Richard M. Haggerty and the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), awards were presented to the Top 6 student recipients as...