Art is more than just paint on a canvas or clay shaped into form; it is a deeply personal expression that reflects the artist’s soul and unique vision of the world. At Stevenson, the Suzanne Rumbaugh Purchase Prize offers recognition by awarding $300 to student artists, ensuring their artwork is displayed on campus. For many, this is their first experience selling art and being celebrated for their creative work, a moment that can be transformative.
Stephan Pratt, Head of the Art Department, champions the symbolic power of the Rumbaugh Prize: “Receiving recognition can be a game changer for anyone who is an artist, no matter what age, but especially at [the students’] age. The thought of other people seeing your art while you go on with your life after Stevenson is really powerful.” He explains, “Coming back one day with loved ones to find it and show it to your friends and family is really powerful.” This lasting connection speaks to the prize’s role in celebrating student art and encouraging future creative endeavors.
Many past recipients of the Rumbaugh Prize echo Mr. Pratt’s sentiments. For alumna Daisy Wang ’13, founder of DAWANG fashion house in New York, receiving the prize was a crucial moment in her journey. Reflecting on her time at Stevenson, she notes, “The Suzanne Rumbaugh Purchase Prize was not just a recognition of my artistic ability but a testament to the support and inspiration I received during my time at Stevenson.” The prize still symbolizes her creative roots, and seeing her artwork in the school collection feels like a tribute to those who supported her.
Celeste Parisi ’07 highlights how receiving the award gave her the confidence to identify as an artist. “The Rumbaugh Award meant someone other than my parents called me an artist. It made that identity of ‘artist’ feel official,” she shares, describing how it reinforced her bond with the Stevenson community. The prize is a touchstone for many young artists, both a source of pride and a reminder of their personal growth.
However, for artists like Natalia Corazza, a former Stevenson student and local muralist, the prize also invites a broader reflection on how student art is valued. “Artists are representatives of their communities, their circumstances, and their perspectives,” she explains. “If the Suzanne Rumbaugh Purchase Prize is being used as an investment in artists with such high potential for success, then I consider the low-cost award of $200-$300 to be a bit of a disgrace.” Corazza advocates for a view of art that sees it as not just a form of decoration but as essential to cultural dialogue and activism.
Corazza believes that while symbolic recognition is important, fairer compensation could better honor the labor and dedication that students invest in their pieces. Award-winning art can often take many hours to create, especially in the context of demanding academic and extracurricular schedules: “Artists contribute to our understanding of society, and recognizing that contribution through fair compensation supports their ability to keep creating, inspiring, and sharing.”
Corazza’s critique reminds us that art, even at the student level, is not just a pastime. It is an investment of time, energy, and emotional labor. Raising the prize amount, or offering other forms of recognition, would demonstrate a greater commitment to supporting these young artists and acknowledging the value of their work.
Other former prize recipients, like Channing Mink ’17, found that the prize confirmed their commitment to art. “Receiving the 2017 Rumbaugh Award felt like an exciting culmination of the years I spent developing my technical skills and passion for the arts in Mr. Pratt’s AP Art classes,” she says. The display of her artwork on campus remains a source of pride, and she credits the prize with affirming her path toward a creative career.
At its heart, the Rumbaugh Prize is both a celebration of student art and an invitation to reflect on how we support young artists. Whether through increased monetary rewards, more opportunities for student exhibitions, or even public art projects, there are many ways to deepen this commitment. As Corazza suggests, “If Stevenson made an effort to connect more serious art students to more realistic representations of artistic opportunities like solo shows or public art installations, it would prepare student artists for the critical thinking involved in an arts-focused career.”
As a winner of the Rumbaugh Prize myself, I would like to say that the aforementioned former students echo my thoughts exactly. It was undoubtedly amazing to be recognized for my art, and walking up onto the stage at the 2024 Spring Award Ceremony in front of the school community to receive my award was a beautiful moment that I will forever cherish. As one of the only non-senior Rumbaugh winners, I was especially honored to have even been considered for the award.
However, it was very difficult to part with my piece – it was as if it was a part of myself, tied to my spirit. It had taken me months to completely refine the piece, and it had decorated my room for months after that. Despite knowing that the piece would now be displayed in school, knowing that that spot on my wall would now be empty was almost heartbreaking. No monetary amount will ever be able to compensate for a student artist’s first piece that truly made them proud, which was what this painting was for me. It was the piece that confirmed my wish to be an artist. So, receiving the $300 check in exchange for a true piece of me was like slapping a bandaid on a freshly severed limb. All throughout the summer, I feared the day I would have to turn in my painting forever. Returning to campus in the fall and seeing my work displayed in Rosen soothed my hurt feelings, but it remains a difficult separation and part of me still longs to see it sitting in my room.
The Rumbaugh Prize holds tremendous symbolic value, and its impact is felt by every artist who has received it, though that impact is not always positive. Perhaps by expanding the ways we honor student art, Stevenson can continue to inspire creativity while underscoring the true worth of our artists’ voices. Raising the prize amount or offering other forms of recognition would demonstrate a greater commitment to supporting their artistic journeys. After all, their work is not just about gaining school recognition—it is about contributing to a broader cultural conversation.
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