Kerr High School student Lisa Le turned a cherished family memory into an award-winning artwork that earned first place at the Vietnamese Cultural Festival Art Contest. Her graphite drawing portrays her father holding her older brother as a baby, set against a traditional Vietnamese altar. Inspired by the themes of community and remembrance, Lisa created the piece to honor her heritage and highlight the connections that tie generations together. “Community and connection come in all shapes and forms,” she explained.
The project took 10 days to complete, with time management posing the greatest challenge due to a tight contest deadline. Still, Lisa pushed forward, merging two reference photos using digital editing tools and using graphite techniques such as grid drawing and blending to bring the emotional scene to life. Her favorite part was watching the artwork “come alive” with each detail added.
Lisa’s Vietnamese culture has a profound influence on her work. She describes it as a beautiful and proud part of her identity, built through festivals, traditions, food, and family experiences. Many of her artistic ideas come from family albums and memories, allowing her to explore her identity through storytelling. She believes celebrating culture through art is essential because it preserves heritage and encourages diversity and self-expression.
Her artistic journey has been shaped by strong support from her friends, family, and especially her art teacher, Dr. Reynolds, whose assignments and encouragement helped develop her skills. Lisa credits Kerr High School for providing opportunities that strengthened her confidence and passion.
The moment she learned she won first place was unforgettable. After a long day of school and pageant rehearsal, she anxiously waited for the results. When the email finally arrived, she felt honored, relieved, and grateful for the people celebrating with her. The recognition, she said, inspires her to encourage younger artists to embrace their culture and creativity.
Looking ahead, Lisa hopes to study both business and art in college, pursue a career as a professional visual artist, and one day display her work in galleries or paint a meaningful mural. She also dreams of studying abroad and mentoring younger artists. She plans to continue creating culturally inspired art and participating in competitions as long as she remains eligible.
To fellow students, her advice is simple: “Take the opportunity when it comes to you. Even if time is a challenge, it will be worth it in the end.” Through her artwork and passion, Lisa Le continues to celebrate her heritage while inspiring others to honor their own.