With a record number of more than 875 art submissions for the 14th annual Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) Juried Youth Exhibition, Southwestern College freshman Ariana Johnson, 18, and Liberty Charter High School sophomore Rayann Valenzuela, 15, were of those whose artwork was selected.
Both of them were encouraged to submit their work by their former photography teacher Ed Lim when they were students at Bonita Vista High School last school year.
The exhibit is open to submissions from K-12 students in San Diego and Tijuana every year. This year’s theme is “Dreamscapes,” a concept through which students can explore their subconscious, hopes, fears and aspirations.
“We want to have their ideas on our walls and make sure they know they make a contribution to the world… This exhibition is about community,” MOPA Director of Innovation Joaquin Ortiz said.
Ortiz was of those who judged the submissions, along with photographic artist Tom Chambers, photographic artists and photography professors Suda House and Amanda Dahlgren, cognitive scientist Nan Renner and visual artist and educator at The San Diego Museum of Art Nicole Amaya.
Johnson’s piece, entitled “Creative Thoughts,” was chosen to be the face of marketing for the exhibit, according to Ortiz, who said he enjoys how you can see behind the young boy’s face and into his mind.
The boy pictured in Johnson’s piece is her younger brother Kevin, who was 12 at the time the photo was taken. She said she and her siblings are Black, white and Filipino, and she wanted to showcase Tevin’s beautiful brown skin.
“My little brother always had the brownest skin, I chose him because I admire that about him.” Johnson said. “I wanted to show his beauty.”
She created the “Creative Thoughts” digitally, cutting and layering a black and white photo of her brother to reveal colorful scenery that stands in contrast. The scenery features a tiger which represents youth, a tree that represents life, experience and wisdom, and birds that represent limitless potential, according to Johnson.
“At the end of it all, it was just to express a vibrant young soul,” Johnson said.
In addition to creating digital art, Johnson enjoys drawing. Her advice to other young artists is to be fearless in submitting and sharing their work. Valenzuela also encourages young artists to put themselves out there as much as they can, and explore different mediums of art.
The photograph she submitted, entitled “Crescendo” pictures Valenzuela herself, surrounded by all of her sketches. She said through the lows she’s experienced in life, art has constantly been there for her as an outlet to channel her feelings through.
When creating “Crescendo,” she used a self-timer on her phone and propped it up in her room. She said it took about 15 attempts before getting the perfect shot to encompass the perspective of a teenager engulfed in their passion.
“You don’t know the talent someone has until you see it, sometimes it’s hidden, sometimes it’s put out there — but everyone behind their own room, behind their own mental walls and mental blocks has something unique about them. Mine just happens to be art,” Rayann said.
She said she made the photo black and white to highlight the shading in her sketches. Ortiz said he was very impressed by the use of black and white, because it requires a mastery of light and contrast.
From Sept. 28 to March 1 of 2020, “Creative Thoughts” and “Crescendo” will be on display at MOPA, located in Balboa Park.
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and has a “pay as you wish” policy, rather than a general admission fee, in order to make MOPA accessible to everyone, according to their website.
