An International School of Denver 8th-grade student has been selected to exhibit work by the National Junior Art Honor Society (NJAHS). The 2025 NJAHS Juried Exhibition, which begins March 11 and goes until August 31, showcases the artwork of talented student artists. The piece titled “Wherever I Go”  was one of 48 student artworks selected by a panel of arts educators among a record number of 173 submissions.

“Wherever I Go” was created as part of the 8th Grade Corner of a Room project, a community favorite. The Corner of a Room gives students carte blanche to create their own world in miniature. Using mixed media, and with access to two kilns in the room adjacent to the open-air Art Studio, students create pieces that are both introspective and outward expressions of student reflection.

For my art, "Wherever I Go," I created my dream room inside of a clay model suitcase using mixed media. I was inspired by my interests including art, reading, sports, sewing, music, the environment, and family travels. No matter where I go, my memories are always with me.

Artist Statement, Lyla, ISDenver 8th Grade Student

Risa Machovec, Art Coordinator and MYP Teacher, is a member of the National Art Educators Association (NAEA). She sponsored a middle school chapter of the NJAHS to find opportunities for our artistic students to share their work in ways beyond ISDenver. “Lyla's room project stood out as a highly creative sculpture and stood out as a high-level piece to enter into this juried competition.”

An interview with the artist

What inspired your corner of a room?

My Corner of a Room project titled “Wherever I go” was inspired by my travels, memories, hobbies and passions. I decided to build my room inside of a model suitcase to resemble that no matter where I go I will always have my memories and my identity. 

There are many parts of the room that have a bigger meaning than what they seem. For example, the table by the couch is a traditional Ethiopian table that the food is served on in restaurants. I have many memories in Ethiopia of being served food and eating it off that traditional table. Additionally, the black coffee pot sitting on that table is also Ethiopian and is called a Jebana. It is used to heat and pour coffee at coffee ceremonies. Some other parts of my room that hint to my travels are the fabric that my family bought in Kenya and the suitcase in general which symbolizes travel. 

Some of my hobbies and passions that are represented in the room are sewing, art, playing sports, music, and my passion for protecting the environment. However, one of my main hobbies that is represented in the little room is my love for reading. The lamp by the art table is a recreation of the lamp in “The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe” which is the second book in the Chronicles of Narnia series. 

What do you hope people see or feel or look for when they see your piece?

I hope people look for the many aspects of my life before I moved back to the States and now. Also, I hope people realize from my art that every country has its own special culture and no two countries are exactly alike. Being in South Africa is an entirely different experience than being in Ethiopia or Egypt. I also hope that people would look closely at my art because there are so many little things in it that you might not notice if you just looked at it as a whole. Finally, I hope people feel calm when looking at my room because I paid a lot of attention to keeping it simple but still having the most important aspects of me. It is a cozy space that I would love to hang out in if it were my size. 

What materials did you use?

I used a large variety of materials ranging from clay to turf. For the main structure I used firing clay which was a requirement for the project. I also used clay for the furniture such as the couch, tables, and some of the smaller items. I covered the floors for the two levels in turf to represent my love for nature. Furthermore, to make the other small items I used materials like beads, model magic, paper, fabric, and fake leaves. To color it I used a couple different types of paint, in particular, acrylic paint and glaze. 

What was the creation process like for you?

Ever since I started middle school and saw the first year of room projects I had been planning for mine. I wanted to take a different approach to the project, so, instead of doing the two walls one-floor layout I wanted to try a different strategy. The first idea I had coming into the project was to build my room inside of a model submarine. However, soon after I decided that the design was not quite what I wanted. In the past when I try to think of a creative idea for any art I do, I know when I have my final idea because it speaks to me in a way that my initial ideas usually don’t. When my travels inspired me to do a suitcase, that idea spoke to me so I got to work. I drew out my plans but only included a few of the designs and items that you can see in my piece today. As I built I was inspired by more and more of my hobbies and travels to the point where I added objects like the Jebana, the art on the table, and the fabric to represent my ideas. I was also inspired by the many materials that I am fortunate to have access to in Ms. Mac's art room; that is where I got the idea to use the beads for different types of sporting equipment. So overall, my project changed to what it is now as I explored different materials and was inspired by different things.

Anything else you would like people to know?

The best artwork are the ones with secret meanings behind them. I think it is truly exhilarating to discover those meanings and make them heard to others. Also, even if you don’t believe you are the best at drawing or the best at sculpting, as long as you share what you believe you can create a true piece of art because art is neither about extreme talent or a perfect piece, it is about how that art makes you and others around you feel. In the famous author Rainbow Rowell’s own words “Art wasn’t supposed to look nice; it was supposed to make you feel something.” So, don’t hold back, be the most creative person you can be and have fun while at it.