DAVENPORT, IA.- 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.