For Ava Wylie, a senior at Canton High School, art has always been a returning passion in her life. When she was younger it was easily her favorite class. It was where she felt the most engaged and comfortable, a space where she could just create without overthinking. But like a lot of people, Ava drifted away from art in middle school. It wasn’t until later in her high school career that she reconnected with her passion through the art faculty, specifically Ms. Stifel. She helped Ava get back into the art world through endless encouragement and support. 
The return to art felt different. It wasn’t just something she liked anymore, it became something she cared about deeply. After mastering Drawing and Painting class, Sculpture and more, Ava understood that art wasn’t just something she was good at but “something [she] needed to keep in her life.” With the right guidance, she started to take her work more seriously and began to imagine her art as more than just a passion or a pastime. That is when the idea of turning her passion into a career became something real. Having people like Ms. Stifel who believed in her made a big difference as it helped her see her own potential in a new way.
Ava often puts lots and lots of effort into capturing the small details that bring her illustrations to life. It is clear that she is patient and observant in her art – she takes her time studying textures, shapes, and suitable differences in color that show up in her work. There’s a visible sense that she genuinely enjoys the process, not just the final product.
Her work often focuses on detailed illustration of living things. She’s drawn to subjects like animals and flowers. “I enjoy capturing simple yet pretty images” she said.
This is reflected in her work, but more specifically the mural she did as her camp project. It is a beautiful landscape displayed in the hall of the workshop. While many students focused their projects on sports or school, Ava knew how to best use her skills to show real dedication and talent. The mural eloquently states “Choose your own path.” This is a fitting reminder for all students, but especially Ava, who has found her calling in the art world.
Outside of personal and class projects, Ava is heavily involved in Canton’s Art National Honor Society. Through that, she’s had a chance to use her skills in a more community based way, like face painting at local fairs in Canton. While it is “a different kind of art,” it is where Ava discovered her talent for working with kids. It is more interactive, more immediate, and it gives her a chance to make people happy in a simple and direct way. “I already love art, but sharing my passion makes it all that much more rewarding,” Ava said.
As Ava–like many seniors–looks to what is next, she is certain that art will be part of it. She is currently planning to major in art education at Central Connecticut State University due to her calling and endless support and guidance from the art teachers at Canton.
