Cheng '24 wins national scholastic art award

Mei Cheng ‘24 is a National Medalist in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. She received a silver medal for her drypoint print titled “Summers End.” 

More than 100,000 students submitted over 260,000 works of art and writing to the 2023 Scholastic Awards. Mei’s work was selected by some of the foremost leaders in the visual and literary arts for excellence in originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision. 

Less than 2,000 works received a National Medal, which places Mei within the top 1% of all submissions. 

“Summer’s End” is a piece I made to tie into my AP Art theme, which is girlhood. The theme is meant to reflect the places, moments, and women that laid the foundation of my adolescence. The piece represents the memories I’m making currently that I will look back on fondly," Mei said. "The picture that inspired the print was taken by my friend, Rowan, at the start of the summer, right after exams, and reflects a time I felt completely happy."

Since 1923, the Awards have celebrated teen artists and writers from across the country. Mei is now part of that legacy, joining the ranks of notable alumni, including Tschabalala Self, Stephen King, Kay WalkingStick, Charles White, Joyce Carol Oates, and Andy Warhol-all of whom won Scholastic Awards when they were teens. 

Mei’s work will be published online at artandwriting.org in June.