Have you ever felt like a piece of art was watching you? IMS seventh grader, Melody Zhao, embraces that feeling in her interactive piece entitled “Electio.” Her beautiful painting is hard-wired with moving red eyes that, at the press of a button, roll to cast their gaze upon you.

For her innovative work, Melody received the Gold Key and Best in Mixed Media Award at this year’s Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art Awards. Her outstanding performance in this statewide competition also caught the eyes of the National Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, who awarded her the Gold Medal and Best in Grade Art Award out of thousands of young artists nationwide.

Melody’s accomplishments will be recognized later this June at a ceremony held at Carnegie Hall.