On Thursday October 2, Tabor held a gallery reception in the Braitmayer Art Center in honor of Tabor’s Sesquicentennial year, displaying students’ ceramics, photography, and studio art produced over the past 150 years. Tricia Smith, Tabor’s Art Teacher and Visual Arts Coordinator, hand-selected work that represents the school’s history of talented student artists. In preparation for the reception, Ms. Smith gathered information about the contributing artists, as well as the stories behind each piece. The gallery displayed a wide range of artwork, such as photographs, baskets, pottery, and acrylic paintings, among many others.
The exhibition displayed the recent work of Jennifer Guo, class of ‘25. Her work, titled “Liminal,” is oil and acrylic on canvas and won the 2025 Purchase Prize, an award coveted by Tabor art students. Her painting was designed to highlight the rise in digital technology and the increased tension between humans and machines. Joanne Huang ‘23, was the winner of the 2023 Purchase Prize and the Marianne Lawrence Award for Major Contribution to Studio Art. Titled “The Visit,” her piece, ink on paper, portrays a strong social narrative that is representative of her Taiwanese identity.
Much of the work displayed is a product of senior projects, which is an opportunity for seniors to engage in a culminating project of their choice. Hiro Aono ‘02 made seven paintings of community members as part of his senior project. Presented at the exhibition was his painting titled “Jay Stroud,” Tabor’s headmaster from 1988-2012. The portrait is a stunning oil on canvas that remains in the Tabor Archive collection.
Fiona Hoben ‘24 created Tabor-themed Nantucket baskets for her senior project. The baskets include a laser engraved school seal and a scrimshaw quote attributed to Elizabeth Tabor. Her project was strikingly unique and resulted in an impressive addition to the Tabor Academy Archive.
John Thompson ‘98 produced a series of 20 watercolor botanical illustrations for his senior project, two of which were displayed in the reception. The art exhibition serves as a reminder that art is deeply embedded in Tabor’s culture, as it makes its way into senior projects and independent studies completed beyond the traditional classroom setting.
The gallery also included a number of ceramic pieces. Though fewer in number, the pottery stood with many exemplary pieces. Nicole McLaughlin ‘16 created a gorgeous porcelain piece titled “Ewer” which also won the Tabor Purchase Prize. McLaughlin remained involved with the Tabor community as a teaching fellow after receiving her BFA from Kansas City Art Institute. She is an incredibly talented artist and has gained recognition both nationally and internationally.
Andy Wang, class of ‘15, returned post-graduation in 2018 to create a vase in the Arnfield wood kiln. His vase remains on display in the Carlson Room and his outstanding work in ceramics earned him the Excellence in Ceramics Award.
All the work displayed at the exhibition represents the time and effort that Tabor students have dedicated to art over the past 150 years. While it’s impossible to recognize every piece, it’s important to note that everything displayed is worthy of recognition. Whether or not Tabor students continued their art careers beyond the walls of Tabor, the work that was created during their time at Tabor is a testament to the rich artistic history of the Tabor community. Tabor recognizes the importance of offering a wide range of disciplines, and art plays an integral role in upholding this value. The 150-year art exhibition was a noteworthy milestone in the artistic history of Tabor Academy.
