By Kim McDarison
“Her Art,” an exhibition featured in the Rotunda Gallery at the Overture Center, 201 State St., Madison, will be on display through mid-November.
The exhibition features work by female-identifying teen artists and empowers girls to celebrate themselves “for not what they look like, but for who they are,” according to the center’s website.
Among artists featured in the exhibition is Fort Atkinson High School student Mya Schwarz.
Schwarz is one of 16 jury-selected artists who tell their stories through art, the center’s website noted. The collection on display includes works produced in various media, such as painting, photography, mixed media and sculpture.
Schwarz’s piece, “My Replica, 2024,” is 18- by 24-inches and created using colored pencil on paper.
In her artist’s statement, Schwarz said she used colored pencil to “capture the detail in this piece.”
Describing her work, she said it “displays contrasting colors and soft lighting,” and “attempts to convey the feelings of self-love and appreciation for oneself by kissing my reflection as a sign of love and acceptance of who I am.”
Additionally, Schwarz noted, she depicted herself wearing a “worn sweatshirt and messy hair” to make clear that women should love who they are, regardless of their circumstances.
When visitors view her work, she said, “I want you to feel the way I feel about this piece of art in the idea that you should love yourself above all else.”
Schwarz’s works have been featured in area art shows such as the Ernie Pope show in Fort Atkinson, the Mary Hoard show at the Hoard Historical Museum, and in Art Youth Month shows, where the artist said, she has been recognized with awards.
About her dedication to art, she said: “I always try to make the best pieces I can, even if it is challenging. I am persistent and committed to any art piece or project I start. I love doing art because of all of the diversity I see in every art piece.”
Visiting the exhibition at the Overture Center is free. Works will be available for viewing through Sunday, Nov. 10.
To learn more about the galleries in the Overture Center, and their hours of operation, visit the center’s website: https://www.overture.org/engage/galleries/.
Overture galleries are sponsored by the Arts Access Fund, a component fund of the Madison Community Foundation, and by contributions to the Overture Center for the Arts, according to the center’s website.
Fort Atkinson High School student Mya Schwarz shares thoughts about her colored pencil-on-paper self-portrait titled: “My Replica, 2024.” Schwarz was selected by a jury as one of 16 teen, female-identifying artists to display their work in the Rotunda Gallery at the Overture Center, Madison. The works will remain on display through mid-November. Contributed photo.
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