Fox Chapel senior's art to be showcased through National YoungArts Foundation
The butterfly is the inspiration for artist Jessica Jing McCann.
McCann sees the creature as both fragile and strong.
“The butterfly has always been my favorite insect,” said McCann, of O’Hara. She recalled a trip to a butterfly garden at Niagara Falls when she was 14. “I love the elegance and grace of a butterfly. I also love its strength and its fragility.”
The essence of the insect comes through in the art McCann fashions out of nickel.
She said making jewelry is a process. It begins with a design she creates through a sketch, which she builds into a paper model. She takes those pieces of paper and places them on the nickel. McCann cuts the material with a coping saw into the desired shapes. She files the edges and sands the metal before polishing the jewelry.
McCann’s craftsmanship was recognized by the National YoungArts Foundation, an organization that identifies young artists.
The 17-year-old senior at Fox Chapel Area High School was one of 142 people who participated in National YoungArts Week Jan. 3-9. She won a $5,000 scholarship.
Between 7,000 and 8,000 artists apply every year.
McCann will introduce her work here during a virtual design arts, photography and visual arts exhibition at 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 29 on the National YoungArts Foundation’s website.
She found the organization that’s based in Miami on the internet when she was looking for art competitions.
“I have loved art all my life,” said McCann, who is president of the school’s jewelry club, a member of the National Honor Society and a three-time scholar athlete, lettering four times in track and field. She will attend Seton Hill University in Greensburg, seeking a double major in college in art education and fine arts studio (metalsmithing concentration). “I really started to hone my craft my freshman year of high school. I am very excited about presenting. People will be able to see my art and learn about us as artists.”
McCann has won numerous awards from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition and received the Scholastic Awards Summer Scholarship for her jewelry. Her artwork has been displayed at Ketchup City Creative, Fox Chapel Area High school, Lauri Ann West Community Center, and Community College of Allegheny County. Additionally, she works as a bench jeweler at So Me Artisan Wares and Jewelers Studio.
McCann said her experience at National YoungArts Week was an opportunity to make friends and form relationships with a diverse mix of artists.
Art with a message
McCann describes her work as symbols for mental health awareness. She realizes people can feel trapped and suffocated and caged by all of the stress and anxiety in the world.
“I try to put my own personal experiences into my artwork,” she said. “Butterflies symbolize flight. Every day can be a battle, and it can be frustrating. So I hope to help others through my art to know they can express themselves, and that they are not alone in the battle.”
Recognizing the talents of artists such as McCann is the mission of the National YoungArts Foundation, said Jewel Malone, executive director. She said as nonprofits aren’t able to host in-person events, the organization had to find ways to raise money to be able to do its work.
The organization is debuting “Together,” a short film that underscores powerful messages of solidarity and supports the next generation of artists, Malone said. Through a collaboration with Psyop, a creative production studio, they created a four-minute film which will air at 8 p.m. Monday here.
National YoungArts Foundation alumni, guest artists and teachers designed birds that were incorporated into the film. Viewers can buy one-of-a-kind digital frames for $175 each.
“The title of the film is perfect,” Malone said. “We all need to work together during this pandemic, even if we can’t physically be together.”
The production includes more than 1,500 individual digital frames.
The film’s co-directors from Psyop, Matt Smithson of Charlottesville, Va. and David Stanfield of Charleston, S.C., provided the animation.
“It was definitely a different kind of challenge, because each artist had their own style,” said Stanfield. “But we embraced it and started with a collage using materials to build elements that would easily support different styles.”
They began working on the project in October.
“I am a huge bird fan,” said Smithson. “I have a bird feeder on my front porch and when I come out to feed them they are waiting for me. I love watching them move. Sometimes they make really quick, fast motions. I am a bird nerd, I guess.”
Smithson said the name of the film has a deeper meaning because it’s truly a message of togetherness and creating something that is beautiful.
“We need that, especially the way the past year has been,” said Smithson. “It’s an important message. Seeing the birds together gives me hope and chills for when things will be back to normal.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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