When Grayson County High School art teacher Beverly Dowell gave Katlyn Stevenson a 48 x 36 canvas she no longer needed, neither could have predicted just where that canvas would lead.
Stevenson had never worked with such a large canvas, but “took it as a challenge,” she said. “I was like, alright, let’s see what I can do.”
“She Is,” the oil painting she created over the next year and a half, would go on to earn a regional Gold Key, the highest award at that level. It also qualified the piece for national honors and a nomination for the American Visions Award.
Stevenson was recently named an American Visions Gold Medalist, one of only 44 students nationwide to earn the prestigious honor. She will receive her medal on stage at Carnegie Hall during National Awards Week in New York City in June.
According to her notification letter, more than 110,000 students submitted over 335,000 works to the 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Her piece was selected by leaders in the visual and literary arts for its originality, skill, and emerging personal vision.
Dowell noted that while Katlyn has earned both Silver and Gold Keys before, the national achievement was a first—for her and for GCHS—in the time she has taught there.
Katlyn’s painting of a blindfolded woman draped in flowing, gossamer-like fabric, not only displays a variety of techniques, but also makes a pointed commentary about beauty.
Describing her vision, “I created it to represent the cruelty of beauty standards and how beauty should be blind,” said Katlyn, who speaks with a contagious confidence far beyond her 18 years.
Thinking back to her first day at GCHS, she recalls that her first class there was with Dowell, who she credits with opening new artistic forms of expression and techniques, introducing her to oil painting, now her “everyday” focus.
She also credits Dowell with helping her grow her talents through community art projects for businesses and individuals. A particularly personal project was a gym-sized floor mat design for the Winterguard she has been part of throughout high school, and a 10’x10’ backdrop for the school’s indoor percussion group.
“She’s an art creativity engine and she never stops working,” said Dowell, also noting the passion Katlyn brings to every project.
Equally talented in a variety of media, her Advanced Placement Art portfolio of resourced and recycled sculpture earned a five, the highest score possible.
Before Dowell, Katlyn credits her mother, also an artist, as her first influence.
“I have been an artist ever since I could hold a paintbrush or pencil. Even as a young kid, I always enjoyed making art of all kinds. My inspiration to create things would have to be my mother.”
“Growing up, I always saw her painting or drawing something, and like her, I wanted to as well. She is always there for me and has supported my artistic journey all throughout my life. Giving me the resources I need to succeed as an artist and the courage to create.”
As she finishes her senior year, Katlyn aspires to pay those influences forward with the goal of becoming a high school art teacher herself, “just like Ms. Dowell. She has taught me so much and has helped shape me into a more outgoing person, as well as helped me challenge myself with the work that I do.”
But first, New York and Carnegie Hall to celebrate the journey that “She Is.”
If you would like to help Katlyn realize her dream by making a financial donation for her trip to New York City, click here.
(Headline photo l-r: Katlyn Stevenson with her American Visions Gold Medalist certificate; Art teacher Beverly Dowell)
