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Congratulations to Fine Art students Breanna Gordon (BFA '20) and Valerie Letts (BFA '24) on their incredible accomplishments this year!

Breanna Gordon's recent painting, "Deep Chaos Within" was exhibited at the 2023 London Art Biennale, where she was the recipient of the Chianciano Art Museum Award. Gordon is currently completing her M.A. in Fine Art Painting at the University of the Arts London, and her work is rooted in the exploration of realism and her interest in rendering the human figure with a likeness to nature. Heavily informed by art historical representational painting, she merges the melodrama of the Italian baroque with the pre-Raphaelite's sense of ethereality to create compositions that blur the line between reality and a dreamlike state. Congratulations, Breanna!

Valerie Letts will receive this year's Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation grant to support her studies at ³ÉÈË´óƬ. Letts will be the third BFA student in two years to receive this prestigious award. Letts is pursuing her BFA (Honours) and Certificate of Media Studies at Queen’s University. Letts' work explores self-representation through a unique blend of stylistic brushwork, surreal motifs, and intersecting personal experiences. As a young queer Colombian-Canadian woman, Hispanic subjects take centre stage in her work. Letts' pieces visually capture emotional resilience by fearlessly exploring queer realities representing intimacy, strength, and themes of self-realisation. Through her art, Letts aims to illuminate the intricate tapestry of human connection, showcasing the diverse manifestations of self and celebrating the power of affection. 

"Valerie Letts should be the only name highlighted in her tremendous accomplishment as a third-year student," says Fine Art Professor Sylvat Aziz. "She went through considerable turbulent years here at Queen’s and in her programme and yet she succeeded admirably in being steadfast in her diligence and creative endeavours. Her merit has been confirmed by a world-class jury in a global competition and her talent remains unquestionable regardless of where she trains, now and in the future. I would say that we all take note of this young woman as she attains her potential in the years to come. In my studio teaching of 25 years, Valerie easily scales the upper 5% of some of the most talented artists. Congratulations and all best wishes, Valerie."