At just 17-years-old, Kassie Silva is using her art to bridge generations.
The Trivium Preparatory Academy senior was awarded first place at nonprofit Catitude Arts and the city of Goodyear’s Follow Your Art Jr. 2025 Fine Art Exhibition, a summer program and gallery showcase which featured 180 original works by 30 young West Valley artists. Silva’s winning portfolio, “Consistency Within Filipino Culture,” explores themes of identity, family, and tradition through a contemporary Filipino lens.
“I wanted to create something that would honor where I came from, something that speaks to my family and to people like me who grew up in two cultures,” Silva said.
Silva’s ribbon-winning piece was a personal portrait dedicated to her grandmother. The composition included a modern self-portrait with remembrance and cultural continuity.
“In the painting, it’s me with longer hair, in everyday clothes, standing beside my grandma in her traditional dress,” Silva said. “The idea was to show how our traditions live on, even as the world changes around us.”
The piece struck a chord with jurors, who spent hours reviewing the student work before awarding top honors. But for Silva, the recognition is just one part of what the program has given her.
“This community has changed me,” she said. “I’ve grown so much as an artist, not just technically, but in how I express myself. I used to create based on impulse, but now I approach each piece with intention.”
Silva first joined Catitude Arts last summer after learning about the program from her best friend. Since then, she has become a core part of the organization’s volunteer team, assisting with events, murals and mentoring younger students.
“She’s not only incredibly talented, she’s always showing up for her peers, for her culture, for her art,” said Dariana Trevizo, director of programs and development at Catitude Arts. “Kassie has grown into a real leader.”
Silva’s artistic journey is closely tied to her broader creative ambitions. In addition to visual art, she’s also active in theater, particularly scenic design, a passion she plans to continue as she begins her studies at Arizona State University next year.
“I’ve been doing theater since eighth grade, and I picked up set design in high school,” Silva said. “Art and theater go hand in hand. I love how they both tell stories and build immersive worlds.”
Silva said that her love for storytelling is what drives her work and why she believes programs like Follow Your Art Jr. are vital.
“Being able to access something like this for free, with all the supplies and the guidance, it’s huge,” she said. “Not everyone has the chance to explore their creativity like this. I’ve made lifelong friends here. We’ve built something really special.”
Follow Your Art Jr. is a free four-week summer program for students ages 13 to 19, designed to develop artistic skills, creative thinking, and portfolio-ready work. Instructors blend formal instruction with exploration across multiple mediums, culminating in a gallery show judged by independent local artists.
This year’s program encouraged participants to choose a theme meaningful to them, guiding the creation of cohesive bodies of work.
“The goal is to give young people access to high-quality arts education, mentorship, and a platform to share their voices,” said Trevizo. “It’s not just about learning techniques, it’s about building community, confidence, and finding that spark that connects them to their culture and creativity.”
In addition to first, second, and third place awards, the program also recognized best portfolio, best of show, honorable mentions, and a student-voted peer award.
Silva won “Most Cohesive Portfolio” at last year’s showcase but said this year’s recognition felt especially meaningful.
“This was more than just art for me, it was about reclaiming and celebrating my identity,” she said. “I’m proud of what I created, and I’m even more proud of what it represents.”
For more information about Catitude Arts and their year-round arts programs, visit catitudearts.org.
By 
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here