Gates Seidelmann, a visual artist from Riverside who attends King School, was named a recipient of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers.

As the nation’s most prestigious and longest-running recognition for young creatives, the alliance boasts a rich history of honoring exceptional talent, including icons like Zaha Hadid and Jeff Koons.

“These awards are nationally recognized and serve as a benchmark for excellence in young artists,” said Chair of King’s Art and Design Department, Brady Shoemaker, adding that the program encourages students to explore topics that deepen their understanding of themselves and the world around them, helping them express their ideas and strengthen their self-assurance.

Seidelmann’s choice of subject matter was as important as the medium.

Her passion for the great outdoors came through in her “Plein Air in Chalk Pastel.”

“I thought the positioning and lighting of the trees were fascinating,” she said, adding that she began the piece with an underwash of vibrant, pigmented colors, which she set in place using alcohol before layering the true colors on top. In some areas of the piece, the underwash remains visible, helping the other colors to stand out.

While Seidelmann developed an appreciation for plein air painting, which allowed her to study the landscape closely, she also faced the challenges of working with chalk pastels. She looks forward to experimenting with new mediums in future landscape work.