Junior Alayna Riley earned the right to display her art at a micro-gallery at Brambleton Library. As a great way to start the new year, this art display “The Rainbow Bridge was displayed throughout the whole month of January, with an hour-long reception where people could talk or ask questions about Riley’s pieces to her. Her work “The Rainbow Bridge” was inspired by the dog she currently has named Bailey and past pets that she has owned.  

“I was surprised when I got picked because I was sure someone else would’ve gotten picked,” Riley said.

Riley’s art teacher, Stephanie Woshner, received an email during COVID-19 from artist and art instructor Troy Wingard, who helped bring opportunities for student artists to places like Brambleton.

Riley’s six, four-by-four pieces took about a week and a half to create, according to the artist. Riley describes her work as generally more of a cartoon style but recently she has been trying to experiment more with realistic pieces, which is why she chose to draw her animals. “The Rainbow Bridge” is solely black and white being made up of ink. “I named it [The Rainbow Bridge] because it represents all the pets I’ve had and how most of them have passed already,” 

The art process for Riley can include different types of music which varies due to her wide musical taste. Though sometimes she requires just peace and quiet to concentrate on her work. 

Riley hopes to become a writer or illustrator when she gets older. “I hope this experience can be used as a stepping stone to help me with resumes, future jobs, college and hopefully people can see it and be impressed,” Riley said. 

Being supported in your passions can be very important, especially to Riley. Riley’s friends and parents have been extremely supportive throughout her whole artistic journey ever since she decided to get into art in third grade. 

“I think people are so drawn to it because it brings them a lot of joy because there is a lot of happiness involved in it,” Woshner said. “Also the way she drew it with the strong lines and  patterns makes it very eye-catching.” 

Woshner has always encouraged her students to submit their art for this experience and luckily Riley’s ink and creativity won over the crowd even though it is a selective gallery. Woshner is an art teacher at Loudoun County and this year will be her sixth year teaching. She loves to encourage her students to be able to present their work at opportunities like these.

“I was very excited, very happy for her and it was very well deserving,” Woshner said. “It’s a really great opportunity and it’s really easy for art students to apply, but when they get in it’s like a legitimate gallery space that is a really good experience for artists.”