The new year marks the arrival of many opportunities. For the fine arts department, the beginning of 2015 came the end of the National YoungArts Competition. This event emphasized the advanced works of many interdisciplinary categories such as photography, dance, music, theatre and visual arts. Out of 11,000 contestants, there were 170 finalists who specialized in several art disciplines. Senior Celia Shaheen was a finalist from the visual arts category.

“I was in Miami, Florida for a week as a part of the National YoungArts Week,” Shaheen said.

To those aware of her artistic accomplishments, the judges’ choice to make Shaheen a finalist came as no surprise.

“Celia is the kind of artist who immediately blows you out of the water with her work,” art teacher Sarah Depetris said. “She has all of my support in anything that she wants to pursue.”

To Shaheen, the competition presents a number of prospects.

“Staying in contact with the organization could absolutely help me with securing grants or internships,” Shaheen said. “YoungArts has also opened up opportunities for collaboration with other alumni.”

Although winning may seem rewarding, the relationships Shaheen formed throughout this experience were more important to her.

“I have found so many incredible friends at YoungArts,” Shaheen said. “So far we’ve kept in touch and I plan to continue corresponding with them.”

Throughout her experience at YoungArts, Shaheen has developed a new mindset towards developing her work.

“YoungArts positively changed the way I perceive and create art,” Shaheen said. “It gave me a platform for discussion as well as the confidence and inspiration to experiment, to step beyond my comfort zone without fear.”

Shaheen is still uncertain of her future goals, but no matter which path she chooses to pursue, she will not put her passion aside.

“For now, I plan to pursue a career in museum work rather than fine arts,” Shaheen said. “But whether I end up as a curator, conservator, archivist or anything else, I will always continue to create.”