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 Five Figge Art Academy Students Recognized in New York Times Art Contest

Davenport, Iowa (February 10, 2025) — Five students from the Art Academy at the Figge Art Museum have been recognized in the New York Times “Teens on Politics Today” contest, which received over 1,700 submissions from around the world. The competition asked students to visually or verbally express what it’s like to grow up in today’s political climate.

Sherry Tang, a standout from the Art Academy at the Figge, was named a top 18 finalist for her piece on artificial intelligence’s impact on the arts. Her work emphasized that art is meant to express human thought and emotion and not rely on AI-generated content. Hannah Stortz received an Honorable Mention for her artwork, which depicted her reliance on Christian faith to navigate today’s media landscape, symbolized by headphones plugged into a Bible to “tune out” the noise.

Additionally, Isabelle Heine, Leo Nedved, and Hadley James were recognized among the top 200 entrants, each bringing their own unique perspectives to the contest. The success of these students highlights the Art Academy at the Figge’s dedication to developing creativity, critical thinking, and artistic excellence.

“This contest gave students a powerful opportunity to share their voices, and I’m incredibly proud of the way they handled this important topic,” said Art Academy Instructor Pat Bereskin. “Art has the ability to start conversations, challenge perspectives, and inspire change, and these students have done just that with their work.”

The Art Academy at the Figge, under the guidance of Art Academy Instructor Pat Bereskin, offers students a place where they can refine their artistic skills through a variety of teaching techniques. Students meet weekly (August–May) to develop their talents, explore meaningful topics through art, and push their creative boundaries. The remarkable success of the Art Academy students in this global competition highlights the impact of young artists in shaping conversations about today’s world. For more information, visit: www.figgeartmuseum.org.

About the Figge Art Museum: 
The Figge Art Museum is dedicated to bringing art and people together. Located on the Mississippi River in downtown Davenport at 225 West Second Street, the Figge is the premier art exhibition and education facility between Chicago and Des Moines. Its landmark glass building, designed by British architect David Chipperfield, is home to one of the Midwest’s finest art collections and presents world-class exhibitions, art classes, lectures, and special events that attract visitors of all ages. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Thursdays; and 12-5 p.m. on Sundays. Reservations are not required but can be made at www.figgeartmuseum.org or by calling 563.345.6632. Admission to the museum is $14 for adults, $10 for seniors and students with ID and $8 for children ages 4-12. Admission is free to Figge members and institutional members and to all on Thursday evenings. You can become a member for as little as $60 by visiting the Figge website. To contact the museum, please call 563.326.7804, or visit www.figgeartmuseum.org.   

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