Artist in the spotlight: Jay Levanthal

Photo Credit: Jay Levanthal

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Written by Jordan Aman, Staff Writer

Senior Jay Leventhal is a spunky artist who is currently enrolled in the IB Visual Arts program. She has created her IB portfolio around the theme of reduce, recycle and reuse.

Much of Leventhal’s work is created using old cardboard boxes and cartons. She has constructed a set of living room furniture, complete with a table, table cloth and chairs completely out of cardboard which will be set up for the IB senior art show. A common theme throughout Leventhal’s work is her use of intricate designs to embellish her furniture.

When Leventhal is not focusing on recycling boxes and constructing side tables, she loves to paint and draw portraits of her friends and family. “I draw inspiration from everything around me,” said Leventhal. Her work is inspired by her life, including her culture, personal likes and dislikes.

Leventhal also has a fascination with clothing design. She paints on shirts and shoes with a very interesting style. Her t-shirt designs are reflective of multi-colored bouquets of flowers, which flow all over the shirts.

Despite the beauty of her t-shirt designs, Leventhal’s shoe designs simply do not compare. With a unique, detailed painting on each side of every individual shoe, these shoes are true works of art.

Her sandal designs are, when paired, a cohesive painting, usually of a beach or ocean scene. Other pairs of sneakers are decorated with city skylines, mermaids, abstract designs and bright colors.

Leventhal created the idea of a “living room in a box.” This product would feature her cardboard furniture designs and would feature Leventhal’s images and designs. She hopes to eventually submit this idea and design to a furniture company with the hopes that it will be manufactured.

She will be continuing her career in art at the Savannah College of Art and Design, a prestigious art school in Savannah, Georgia. There, Leventhal plans to pursue studies in painting and accessory design.

After college, Leventhal hopes to produce and sell her furniture designs as well as her paintings and handpainted apparel.