Celia Kaye, a sophomore at High School South, was recently awarded first place in her age division in a national youth art competition sponsored by the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art in Millersburg, Pennsylvania. “Wildlife and Water” is the center’s 21st annual nature art contest for students. Original artwork must feature wild animals either in an aquatic habitat or with water prominently featured.
Kaye’s entry, “Follow the Leader,” was created in acrylic. Her painting was on exhibit in the center’s gallery through July and will be reproduced on holiday cards printed for the center. (www.nedsmithcenter.org).
Kaye, who formerly studied with Connie Zhang in West Windsor, has been attending classes with Qi Zhang at the Qi Zhang Art Studio in Edison for the past two years. She has submitted entries in a number of art competitions and has received recognition from the National PTA Reflections Program with an award of excellence in 2011, New Jersey PTA with an award of merit in 2012 in visual arts, and the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards with a Silver Key award in 2013 and honorable mention in 2014 in visual arts.
Kaye, also active in musical pursuits, has played clarinet for five years, beginning in fifth grade at Village School. She plays clarinet in South’s Wind Ensemble and the Pirate Marching Band. She is serving as librarian for the marching band and was a representative on the school’s band council.
Her parents are Yun Yun Wu and Kim Kaye. The family lives in West Windsor.
