Students Highlight Social Justice Through Countywide Art Showcase
Last month, sixteen King School students contributed work to the fourth annual “Through Your Looking Glass” Social Justice Student Art Showcase in New Canaan, a countywide exhibition hosted by Stand Together Against Racism in partnership with The Glass House and the Carriage Barn Arts Center.
Under the guidance of art teachers Alexa Orndahl, Corina Alvarezdelugo, and David Hughes, students joined their peers across Fairfield County to submit artwork that reflects a social justice topic meaningful to them.
Nina Griffith ’27 chose Caroline Ferriday, a Connecticut humanitarian who aided survivors of the Ravensbrück concentration camp in the 1950s. Through archival research, textured media, and thoughtful composition, Nina used her canvas to tell Ferriday’s story.
“I realized how much history gets overlooked, especially stories of women whose voices were nearly erased,” said Nina. “Layering photos, letters, and symbols in my collage helped me see how Ferriday’s advocacy literally pieced lives back together. It made me reflect on how art can preserve memory and inspire justice at the same time.”
Such resonance is what led the teachers to encourage students to submit their work to the showcase.
“Art is one of the most powerful tools young people have to express identity, question the world around them, and advocate for change,” said Orndahl. “Participating allows our students to engage with meaningful social justice themes through a creative lens, giving them an authentic platform to use their voices.”
Her lower school students created pieces that connected personal identity with themes of inclusion, equity, and belonging. At the opening reception on Saturday, November 8, the exhibition showcased work addressing topics ranging from racial justice to environmental issues. Artist Anushka Iyer ’33 explored the impact of pollution on wildlife.
“I was excited because I love animals, and pollution can have many effects on animals,” said Anushka. “It can hurt them or even make them go endangered.”
Students emerged from the experience realizing that their ideas mattered, exactly what Orndahl had hoped for.
“Through their unique perspectives and artistic talents, students showcased their dedication to their craft and their commitment to making a difference in the world around them,” said Orndahl.
Alvarezdelugo was impressed by students’ notable independence, as they grounded their pieces in research, lived experience, and personal reflection.
“Their studio conversations often centered on responsibility, considering questions like how to honor real stories, how to translate complex issues into visual form, and how to use composition, symbolism, and material choices to communicate clearly,” said Alvarezdelugo. “As they developed their pieces, students reflected on empathy, accountability, and the power of art to provoke dialogue.”
She added that participating in the showcase helps students understand their role as communicators and contributors to public conversations.
“They begin to understand their role not just as makers, but as communicators and changemakers,” she said. “The showcase deepens their understanding that community engagement is collaborative, that their voices contribute to a larger dialogue, and that art has the unique ability to illuminate truths, amplify unheard stories, and inspire action.”
Through the showcase, students also participated in a workshop at the Carriage Barn led by Stamford artist Lauren Clayton, who guided them in creating individual puzzle-piece artworks exploring pattern, color, symbolism, and community. The completed installation reflected each student's individuality while forming a collective statement on unity.
Congratulations to the following participating artists:
Cece Bellmare ’33
Clyde David Beverly ’33
Cordelia Beverly ’34
Sienna Fedele ’33
Ruby Gengo ’28
Nina Griffith ’27
Beyah Garcia ’33
Phoebe Lewis ’27
Emily McAuliffe ’27
Jackson Rosen ’29
Matthew Sroka ’29
Avery Stowe ’29
Grayson Van Wyck ’28
Felix Wu ’33
Jackson Young ’33
Anushka Iyer ’33