Our 2025 Student Award recipient is Chloe Chen of Fairport, who will graduate from Penfield High School this month.
A display of her work is featured in the PAA 2025 Spring Show. To learn more about Chloe, click here.
Chloe’parents, Annie Zhang and Tony Chen, immigrated from China, where Chloe went to school into third grade and still returns from time to time to visit relatives.
“Art has always entranced me,” Chloe says. “Its ability to be expressed in any way you want. It’s been an activity of comfort, whether to de-stress after long days, or just to experiment with gouache colors. Art has been a hobby I can go back to and feel calmer and happier.”
“The inspiration behind most of my work comes from my family, friends and Chinese culture.”
At PHS, Chloe did varsity swimming for four years, was the founder of the school’s art club, vice president of National Honor Society and served as a social media officer for the Mental Health Awareness Club. She also works as a swim instructor at the YMCA.
Chloe will be attending Northeastern University in Boston this fall, majoring in neuroscience and philosophy.
PAA has presented a cash award to a PHS senior each year since 1976. The recipient is selected by the art faculty at Penfield High School.