Layers of Expression: Celebrating Identity, Impact, and Artistic Growth at the DP Art Show
On April 23, 2025, Carrollwood Day School proudly hosted the DP Art Show, a powerful celebration of the creativity, expression, and personal growth of our IB Diploma Programme’s visual art students. This exhibition was the grand finale of their two-year journey, and highlighted their artistic exploration and hard work. Each student-curated showcase reflected not only technical skill, but a deeply personal narrative shaped by extensive research, fearless experimentation, and profound self-discovery. From the earliest concept sketches to the final installations, these talented young artists dove into themes that resonated with them, studied the work of influential creators, explored new mediums, and pushed the boundaries of their imagination to deliver thought-provoking, impactful pieces.
The evening kicked off with a lively introduction to Carrollwood Day School’s thriving arts program, featuring dynamic performances by our talented musicians and performing artists. This showcase set the tone for what was to come, celebrating the breadth of artistic expression across our campus and building anticipation for the main event of the night: the DP Art Show. Featured artists Abigail Anderson, Morgan Edelbach, and Brooke Prather unveiled exhibitions that were as emotionally resonant as they were technically accomplished. Each student dove deep into complex, personal themes, presenting work that reflected both their creative vision and thoughtful introspection with striking depth and originality.
Abigail Anderson
Abigail’s work is rooted in activism, exploring political, religious, and social issues with striking conviction. “When I was creating my exhibition, I envisioned it as a platform to raise awareness and draw attention to critical global issues,” she explains. Each piece is designed to forge a deep emotional connection with viewers and provoke thought. “If you saw my exhibition and left feeling the same as when you came in, I did not meet my goal.” Her bold expressions and raw honesty reflect a mature understanding of the world around her.
Creating her exhibition wasn’t without its challenges. “The IB program is incredibly demanding, requiring an immense amount of work within tight deadlines,” Abigail shares. “The challenges I faced over the past two years while curating this exhibit can be summed up in one word: time management.” Balancing six rigorous classes demanded “some insane self-discipline,” something she says was made possible “with the help of a great art teacher, Mr. Firestone.”
Though the exhibition is complete, Abigail sees art as a lifelong pursuit. “As for the future, art will remain an integral part of my life,” she says. “Subjects such as math and sciences are what keep us alive. Art and literature are what we live for.”
Morgan Edelbach
Morgan’s body of work offers a moving exploration of faith, balance, courage, and love, infused with Christian symbolism and emotional vulnerability. “My work is inspired by my life,” she shares. “This includes personal experiences… things I felt from certain events such as school and overall stress as I’ve grown up. Finally, I was inspired by my religion as it is such an important part of my life and I wanted to display this.”
Her art evolved significantly over the DP years, as she embraced new materials and greater complexity in her work. “You are constantly worked and pushed to reach the highest standards of art,” Morgan reflects. “I became more confident over time… and created pieces that I think showed more depth and a push in my artistic abilities.” One of her most powerful pieces, Burden of Sin, is a religious work that explores temptation, salvation, and spiritual struggle. “It’s a huge pyramid stack of plaster apples with hands reaching out, surrounded by barbed wire… at the top is a long hand reaching toward a golden apple, a symbol of salvation.” Inspired by the story of Adam and Eve, the piece took over a year to complete; its ambition and emotional depth is a true reflection of Morgan’s artistic growth.
While Morgan plans to study business and history in college, art remains close to her heart. “Even if it’s just painting every once in a while in my free time or taking a small pottery class… I consider myself a creative person and feel that I will always find time to work on art.”
Brooke Prather
Brooke’s artwork takes a bold stance on environmental issues, raising awareness about marine crises, overfishing, and deforestation through powerful imagery and thoughtful symbolism. Her pieces serve as both a visual warning and a call to action, reflecting her deep concern for the planet. “My art represents my love for the ocean and the earth and my hope for a better future,” she says.
Her creative process began in her sketchbook, by researching artists, experimenting with materials, and developing her vision through trial and error. “I began experimenting with different materials and processes I had never tried before,” she explains. “I became more comfortable with trying new things and expanding on my ideas.” Despite challenges like cracked clay or resin that wouldn’t set, Brooke remained determined, working long hours to bring her visions to life.
She’s especially proud of her jellyfish cyanotype. “It took lots of hard work and dedication. It was my first time using the cyanotype method and I love the way it turned out.” Though her DP journey is concluding, Brooke plans to continue nurturing her artistic passion through college courses and future creations.
The DP Art Show is more than a showcase of talent, it’s a celebration of individuality, resilience, and the power of artistic growth. At Carrollwood Day School, we honor the unique voices of our students, and this exhibition was a powerful reflection of their journeys. Each work on display represented years of thoughtful introspection and unwavering dedication, culminating in pieces that challenge perspectives, stir emotions, and spark inspiration. Through their creativity, these young artists offer us a window into their world, and, in turn, encourage us to see our own with greater clarity, empathy, and imagination.
You can view our artist's work in its entirety HERE!