Lion Artists Earn National Recognition

Three Marksmen — senior photographers Hudson Brown and Patrick Flanagan and junior chorister Lukas Palys — have been named “Winners of Distinction” in the national YoungArts competition, the exclusive nominating body for the Presidential Scholars in the Arts.

Additionally, two seniors received the “Winner” designation: Nathan Meyer in photography and Charlie Hill in design arts.
 
Brown, Flanagan and Palys will travel to Miami in January for National YoungArts Week. This intensive week-long program offers master classes taught by world-renowned artists and exhibition opportunities for students to showcase their work. Throughout the week, the “Winner of Distinction” designees’ works will be further adjudicated to determine additional award levels, including financial awards of up to $10,000 and an opportunity to be nominated for the Presidential Scholar in the Arts Program. 
 
YoungArts’ signature program is an application-based award for emerging student artists from across the United States. Selected through a blind adjudication process conducted by an independent panel of highly accomplished artists, YoungArts winners receive valuable support, including financial awards, professional development and educational experiences working with renowned mentors, as well as performance and exhibition opportunities at some of the nation’s leading cultural institutions.
 
Photography instructor Scott Hunt, who holds the Arnold E. Holtberg Master Teaching Chair, has had 36 Marksmen receive recognition from the YoungArts Program over the years.
 
“I’m proud of all of my boys for the commitment and hard work that goes into developing a competitive portfolio for YoungArts,” Hunt said. “The boys spend months crafting and creating their portfolio, a process that is not unlike developing a master’s thesis exhibit. While not every boy receives accolades, I’m proud of all of them for embarking on such a daunting task, overcoming challenges and developing portfolios that are meaningful and powerful.”
 
Palys becomes the first member of the School’s storied choral program to be cited by the YoungArts Program in its voice category.
 
“For our program, it reinforces our belief that St. Mark’s choristers are dedicated to their craft and to the hard work necessary to succeed in the arts,” said Tinsley Silcox, Upper School Choir director. “It is a testament to our philosophy that achievement and recognition is attained through diligence and patience. Lukas’ success with YoungArts is also our program’s success.”

This is woods and metal instructor Rachel Muldez-Werner’s first student recognized in just her second year teaching at St. Mark’s.
 
“I could not be prouder of Charlie Hill,” Muldez said.  “He has consistently shown that he can put enough effort into getting great results. This win is huge for the wood and metal program at St. Marks. It will give the younger boys a big goal to strive for. I look forward to seeing more great things from all my students in the future.” 
 
The National YoungArts Foundation was established in 1981 to identify and support the next generation of artists and to contribute to the cultural vitality of the nation. 
 
Nationally, the YoungArts Program cited only ten “Winners of Distinction” in the category of photography and 19 in the category of voice.
 
Beginning with the 2023 competition, the YoungArts Program changed its award wordings. Previously, winners were listed as finalists, honorable mention and merit winners. The new wording of “Winner with Distinction” replaces “Finalists” and “Honorable Mention and “Merit” are now referred to as “Winners.” “Winners of Distinction” advance to the weeklong Miami experience.