Brianna Casey
Brianna Casey has her second mother-daughter art exhibit at the Arts Depot in Abingdon, Va.; you can see their exhibit until Saturday, Feb. 23. She says she enjoys this type of show. "It's nice to see what mom creates and then to see it later in the show." She describes the theme of her art in this show as "people and the social effects on life."
A 16-year-old Abingdon High School student, Brianna says she has always been interested in art. "There has never been a time when I was not creating art, even if it was a bunch of scribbles," she says.
She has taken art classes every year in school and through the Arts Depot and William King Museum, both in Abingdon, Va. Recently she was asked to create art to put in the cafeteria and hallways at Abingdon High. "It's nice to give to my school by simply doing something I enjoy," Brianna says.
Her friends may see themselves in some of this work as she says, "My friends inspire me the most. I can be inspired by anything though, and I love that. Robert Rauschenberg inspires me the most as an art icon."
Brianna describes her art as "more surrealistic than anything. I anticipate the challenge of creating something that doesn't exist and giving it realistic characteristics." Her primary medium is drawing.
Her art has won "Artist of the Month" at the Arts Depot, and she has entered artwork in its Member's Annual Show for years. Her artwork was a finalist in the Washington County school calendar contest. She placed first in Virginia and in the top ten nationally in the Technology Student Association's digital photography contest.
She says her art is a way to "put my thoughts and feelings in some visual form for others to see and interpret."
Her involvement in the arts isn't limited to the Arts Depot. She is president of the Art Portfolio Club at Abingdon High. "The club draws portraits of kids from Rwanda and sends them to the children. It's worthwhile to spend time drawing just to make a child happy."
She is a member of the National Arts Honor Society and participates in cross-country and the debate team. She loves to read and go antique and thrift store shopping with her friends.
Brianna says she plans to continue her art study after high school. "I would like to major in French in college with a minor in art, so that I can teach after graduation."
She is the daughter of Debra and Brian Casey.
