Amity Shao ’26 has been a vibrant part of the Concord Academy community for three years, during which time she has made many artful contributions. From energetic murals on the LABS whiteboards to starting the Whiteboard art club for creative thinking, her influence has shaped a space for student expression throughout campus.

Her passion for art began at an early age: at just six years old, Amity was heavily in tune with her interests and drew fanart for shows like Spiderman and Dora the Explorer. Though she considered most of those pieces as “lost media,” her love and appreciation for media continues. Many of her current artworks are inspired by mangas and animes that she enjoys, such as Chainsaw Man, Neon Genesis Evangelion and more. Her whiteboard art often reflects these themes, creating a visual language that transcends the barriers between students, sparking engagement and relatability.

One of her signature styles at school is her large-scale murals plastered on the whiteboards throughout LABS. When asked about the reasons behind her art pieces, she replied, “A lot of the stuff I draw is referencing other things, so it's nice for people to perk up and say ‘Hey I recognize that!’ when walking down the hall. Those reactions make me smile and [are] a large part of why I draw.” She recognizes that art is not just about skill, but also about fostering community. Her energy has influenced various student artists, with many joining the activity. The collaborative atmosphere is something she values deeply, especially as she notices more and more students contributing. “I'm so glad more people are drawing on the boards when I'm not,” Amity claimed, “Shoutout Aslan in particular!”

While Amity’s love for art is prevalent, her love of learning thrives within her as well. Eager to improve, Amity is always testing out different styles to evolve in areas she believes she is lacking in—for example, rendering digital and technical foundations. Her efforts serve as an inspiration for other aspiring artists like herself, and her achievements demonstrate the fruit of her hard work and dedication.

In addition, she is observant and takes notice of others' arts, using their talent as motivation to push herself. Amity said, ”First day of freshman year Aki ’26 drew Homer Simpson on the board. I loved the idea and began to draw with references from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, a show I really enjoy. We decided to start the [Whiteboard Art] club together, but because she was gone for a while, I was the primary one left to create these murals. I took it upon myself to draw these pieces and continued through freshman year and sophomore year.” While balancing school work and other projects such as Inktober, Amity has consistently spread creativity to continue to decorate the school space.

As she looks towards the future, Amity hopes to leave a lasting impact on the school’s art space, stating, “I’ll do as much as I can for whiteboard art while I’m here.” After CA, she will keep her passion for whiteboard drawing with her.