Hingham Whiz Kid: Emily Russ

Name:    Emily Russ

Grade:   11

School: 

 Key to Awesomeness: Following her heart while using her head.

 Accomplishments: 

Emily Russ’s self-portrait was included in a slide show at Worcester Art Museum where just 140 juniors from the state were selected to attend the 24th Annual Art All State.   She is the first student ever to represent Hingham High School.

Her self-portrait was only part of a rigorous application process for the May 27-28 event that included an essay, artwork, and an interview at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, where she discussed her work with artists.

 “Art is the only thing I have ever kept doing consistently throughout my whole life” she said.

The memories of arts and crafts projects and drawing at a young age are visceral. Drawing flowers, patterns and women - always internally inspired - are a big part of why she still does art. Today Russ often draws profile pieces of ethnic women, which she said came from her mind, not models.

 Assigned to groups of 14, the Art All State artists retreated to rooms within the museum and began their two-day creative process under the guidance of two mentors -working artists.

Given burlap, party streamers, and pieces of plastic gold nuggets, Emily’s artist pod discussed what they wanted to create (a tree in the center of the room), constructed it, and on Saturday afternoon, all teams were able to view each other’s creations.

 The mentor artists showed pictures and talked about their personal journeys into art.  This inspired Emily to attend Maine College of Arts pre-college program which will be held this July.  She now plans to attend art college or study liberal arts - potentially language or art history.