Willa EK Jaymes is an installation artist, using light and sculpture to navigate the self, environment, and how they interact; the tangible and intangible. She aims to mold space with organic materials, often with dramatic lighting.
Willa is a Freshman at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, from the Hudson Valley, New York. She was named a 2026 YoungArts Winner with Distinction and a recipient of the President’s Award at Interlochen Arts Academy. Her work has been shown in Chicago, Traverse City, Michigan, and Miami, Florida.
CV
Willa.jaymes.ny@gmail.com - Chicago IL
EDUCATION
School of the Art Institute of Chicago / 2025 Chicago, Illinois
Presidential Scholarship
Accepted member of the Scholars Program (Top 2%)
Anticipated graduation in May, 2029
Interlochen Arts Academy / 2024-2025 Interlochen, Michigan
Visual Arts Major
GPA 3.89
EXHIBITIONS
National YoungArts Week Exhibition / 2026
Youngarts Campus / Miami, Florida
ARTBASH / 2026
School of the Art Institute of Chicago / Chicago, Illinois
Thesis II: Conversation Starters / 2025
Gordon Brunner Family Gallery / Interlochen, Michigan
Drawn Here / 2025
Higher Art Gallery / Traverse CIty, Michigan
Think Nothing of it / 2024
Gordon Brunner Family Gallery / Interlochen, Michigan
Art on the Mart / 2026
Merchandise Mart Public Space / Chicago, Illinois
AWARDS
National YoungArts Winner with Distinction in Visual Arts / 2026
School of the Art Institute Presidential Merit Scholarship / 2025
Interlochen Arts Academy Fine Arts Award / 2025
Interlochen Arts Academy President’s Award / 2025
Scholastic’s Visual Arts Silver Key / 2025
Interlochen Arts Academy Juried Student Exhibition Award / 2025
Interlochen Review Portfolio Publication / 2025