The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery has announced the winners of its 2025 Teen Portrait Competition, a prestigious triennial event that recognizes exceptional photographic talent among American teenagers. Matilda Myers, a 13-15 year-old from Maryland, won her age group with "Rest," a haunting image of a ballerina draped over a carpet with a pickaxe visible beneath her white tutu. Kate Stermer from California took top honors in the 16-17 age category for "The Cost of Conformity," a dramatic black-and-white photograph depicting a teenage girl manipulating toy cars with marionette strings above a miniature neighborhood. The competition received over 1,100 entries from young photographers across 48 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C., demonstrating the remarkable breadth of teenage artistic expression nationwide.
Myers's winning photograph, "Rest," subverts traditional ballet imagery by introducing an unexpected element of manual labor, creating a powerful visual commentary on gender expectations and the hidden strength required in feminine pursuits. The juxtaposition of the delicate ballerina costume with the rugged pickaxe challenges viewers to reconsider stereotypes about masculinity and femininity. Stermer's "The Cost of Conformity" employs a surrealist approach to explore themes of control, success, and social pressure, with the teenage subject positioned as a puppeteer determining the fates of those below. The monochromatic palette enhances the dramatic tension while cleverly concealing collaged elements within the composition, showcasing sophisticated technical and conceptual skills for an artist of her age.
The rigorous selection process involved multiple stages of evaluation to ensure fairness and artistic merit. The Teen Museum Council, composed of high school students from the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, first reviewed all submissions and narrowed the field to 40 semi-finalists. This council provides young people with hands-on museum experience while fostering a community of teenage art enthusiasts through interactive programs and events. In the final round, three council members joined artist Caitlin Teal Price to jury the competition, ultimately selecting 19 finalists and the two winners from the diverse pool of talented applicants.
The 19 finalists represent an impressive range of styles, subjects, and technical approaches that reflect contemporary teenage experiences and concerns. Among the 13-15 age group finalists, works include a playful reinterpretation of lacrosse and royalty, a technicolored portrait inspired by sound waves, and a striking close-up of a girl's face splattered with blood. The 16-17 age group finalists feature equally compelling pieces, including a photograph shot through a massive clock face, a tender portrait of two children in a restaurant, and a contemplative scene framed by autumn leaves against a cloudy sky. These selections demonstrate the competition's commitment to honoring diverse perspectives and innovative photographic techniques.
Sahtiya Hammell, education specialist and head of teen programs at the National Portrait Gallery, emphasized the competition's broader cultural significance beyond simply awarding talented young artists. "The Teen Portrait Competition is more than a celebration of talent," Hammell stated. "It's a testament to the power of youth to reflect, challenge, and reimagine the world through art." She noted that bringing together bold creativity and thoughtful perspectives from young artists across the nation highlights universal questions about identity, visibility, and community that resonate in contemporary discourse. The program provides a national platform for teenage voices and validates their artistic contributions to American culture.
All 19 finalist photographs will be displayed alongside the National Portrait Gallery's triennial exhibition "The Outwin 2025: American Portraiture Today," placing teenage work in dialogue with established contemporary artists. This integration underscores the museum's commitment to nurturing emerging talent and recognizing that significant artistic expression knows no age limit. The exhibition opens to the public in the coming months and will remain on view throughout the year, offering visitors the opportunity to witness the future of American photography. For more information about the competition and to view the complete gallery of finalists, visitors can access the National Portrait Gallery's official website, which features detailed images and artist statements from each participant.
