Featuring

Gracie Batten & Naserian McClurg

Naserian McClurg

Naserian McClurg is a nineteen-year-old artist based in Fernandina Beach, Florida. She has been creating art all her life, experimenting with different media and learning about her personal styles. Her more professional career began in high school when she began learning the technical side of art and color. Within this time, she truly found her love of oil paint and began consistently using this medium.

During her junior year of high school at age 17, Naserian was awarded three gold keys and two silver keys from the Northeast Florida Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. That same year (2023) her three gold key pieces moved on to national adjudication. Her painting “Tired Feet” received a gold medal at the National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards held at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The following year at age 18, Naserian was awarded six gold keys and three silver keys, including a gold key for her six-piece portfolio in the Northeast Florida Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Naserian has received several awards from the Amelia Island Art Association, including a $1,000 scholarship.

Naserian has primarily focused her work on humans, and specifically her perspective of the human experience and various topics involving that. Many of her paintings are self-portraits or involve someone whom she personally knows. She finds that painting subjects with whom she holds a connection, offers a more personal perspective when depicting such powerful themes. In most of her art she has chosen to heavily explore the use and versatility of color to hint at larger feelings such as shame, joy, stress, or peace.

Gracie Batten

Gracie Batten is a 19-year-old artist with a deep passion for creating art. Since the age of 14, she has dedicated herself to honing her skills and pursuing her dream of becoming a successful artist. Her commitment and hard work have been recognized through various achievements and accolades. She is proud to have received first place at the Island Art Association for her high school freshman and sophomore years, demonstrating her early talent and dedication to her craft. Additionally, she won Best of Show for both junior and senior years, showcasing not only her technical proficiency but also her artistic vision and creativity. On a larger scale, her talents have garnered significant recognition, with a total of 18 Gold keys won at scholastic competitions over the last four years. She is honored to have won the most Gold keys in Northeast Florida, a testament to her continuous growth and excellence in the arts. Furthermore, she was awarded a Gold Art Portfolio Award, highlighting the depth and quality of her artistic portfolio. Gracie achieved a perfect score of 5 on her AP Portfolio, a significant accomplishment that reflects her mastery of artistic techniques and concepts. This achievement not only validates her skills but also demonstrates her readiness for college-level art education.

When Gracie received her acceptance to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), she was ecstatic. However, the reality of the financial burden weighed heavily on her and even with her diligent efforts to save money from working since a young age, the costs of college remain a significant challenge. In light of this, she has made the decision to attend Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) for her first two years and then transfer to the University of North Florida (UNF) for specialized art courses. Although Gracie’s family's stability did not qualify her for federal aid, she is determined to pay for her education independently, without relying on her parents or taking out student loans.

Gracie’s ultimate goal is to graduate with a strong foundation in art and the confidence to pursue a successful career in the arts. She is currently enrolled at Florida State College at Jacksonville and is passionate about making a meaningful impact with her work and contributing to the ever-vibrant art community.