KIHS Visual Arts Teen of the Week—Jay Zimmerman

STEVENSVILLE —Jay Zimmerman, a senior at Kent Island High (KIHS), has taken nearly every art course the school has to offer, in both 2-D and 3-D. Currently enrolled in AP® 2-D Art & Design with Andrea Schulte and Honors Level Studio Art 3: 3-D with Laquel Nenno, Jay is producing outstanding work in both arenas.

Driven by a profound love for animals, Jay draws inspiration from toucans, blue jays and horses. These subjects are frequently found within Jay’s artwork. Meticulous in craftsmanship, Jay frequently spends hours outside of regular class time perfecting every art piece. In AP® 2-D Jay is working on a body of work that will be scored by College Board this June which is focused on the integral role animals play in the emotional support of humans. One of Jay’s works from that portfolio recently earned a Regional Scholastic Art Honorable Mention award!

Jay said that their favorite thing about creating art is that it gives them a way to express themselves without using words.

“I knew Jay was going to be an amazing artist when our fridge looked like Picasso at three years old, and I had more framed art from them than space on the walls,” shared Jay’s mom, Kelly Zimmerman. “Jay’s passion for art and creativity has been in the forefront ever since then. Their spirit radiates sunshine and they bring joy to everyone around them. Jay’s smile lights up the room and her passion for art is contagious.”

“One of my favorite things about Jay is their deep sincere kindness towards everyone and willingness to help others. Jay spends a great deal of time interning and volunteering in our self-contained PACS classroom. Jay is an excellent teacher, mentor, and support system for those students,” shared Nenno. “The compassion Jay has is invaluable and their work ethic is truly admirable.”

Jay also invests time in all of the community art projects for Nenno and Schulte, as an active three-year member of the KIHS National Art Honor Society. Most recently, Jay has contributed work to the Talisman Therapeutic Riding Center, the Small Works Art Auction to benefit QACAC arts programming, the temporary Alzheimer’s Awareness art installation at Queenstown Landing Assisted Living, and was a leader in our in-house interactive art installation QAC Goes Purple and Opioid Awareness week.