Emma Reed - Canandaigua
By: Maureen McGuire
Updated: April 19, 2010
An exhibit at Canandaigua Academy represents a painstaking, passionate 2-year commitment to art.
It was created by Emma Reed, a top-notch student devoted to the idea of blending science with art.
"Here, I basically built my own camera obscura," said Emma. "It's basically a pinhole camera and you use it to project an image onto a flat sheet of paper. I projected an image of a barn onto that and made that piece out of it."
Emma is in the International Baccalaureate visual arts program. When she started, she didn't have a lot of classroom experience in fine art, but she is a whiz at physics, and it informs everything she creates.
"Just expanding more. It takes quite a bit of work to expand your horizons more," said Emma. "I've expanded my boundaries beyond the original ones which were colored pencil, into photography and metal work. Before I came here, I hadn't done anything with paint, so this was basically the first time I'd actually picked up a paintbrush. Just being able to expand your boundaries is something great."
Arts teacher Arlene McDonald says Emma has a genuine thirst for research and learning.
"She really encompasses the type of student who is ideal for the program," said McDonald. "She contributed to this program above and beyond the typical high school student."
Among Emma's many accomplishments: A paid summer internship at rit's astronomical imaging department. She also developed GIS maps for Ontario County's emergency preparedness plan.
She plays cello in the Hochstein Youth Symphony Orchestra, and teaches ballet. It's a full life, reflected in her art.
"It's always in the back of my mind, definitely. I try to incorporate something sciency into everything I do."
Emma will study physics in college, and has her sights set on a career in research and academia. She may well add on a major in art. For her, the two make a beautiful combination.
It was created by Emma Reed, a top-notch student devoted to the idea of blending science with art.
"Here, I basically built my own camera obscura," said Emma. "It's basically a pinhole camera and you use it to project an image onto a flat sheet of paper. I projected an image of a barn onto that and made that piece out of it."
Emma is in the International Baccalaureate visual arts program. When she started, she didn't have a lot of classroom experience in fine art, but she is a whiz at physics, and it informs everything she creates.
"Just expanding more. It takes quite a bit of work to expand your horizons more," said Emma. "I've expanded my boundaries beyond the original ones which were colored pencil, into photography and metal work. Before I came here, I hadn't done anything with paint, so this was basically the first time I'd actually picked up a paintbrush. Just being able to expand your boundaries is something great."
Arts teacher Arlene McDonald says Emma has a genuine thirst for research and learning.
"She really encompasses the type of student who is ideal for the program," said McDonald. "She contributed to this program above and beyond the typical high school student."
Among Emma's many accomplishments: A paid summer internship at rit's astronomical imaging department. She also developed GIS maps for Ontario County's emergency preparedness plan.
She plays cello in the Hochstein Youth Symphony Orchestra, and teaches ballet. It's a full life, reflected in her art.
"It's always in the back of my mind, definitely. I try to incorporate something sciency into everything I do."
Emma will study physics in college, and has her sights set on a career in research and academia. She may well add on a major in art. For her, the two make a beautiful combination.
