Tem Ninvoraskul Wins 2025 Art Scholarship

Published: 2/7/2025

Showcasing talent in both art and mechanics

Tem Ninvoraskul, a senior at The John Cooper School, was recently awarded a $2,500 scholarship through the prestigious 2025 Student Art Scholarship from The Woodlands Arts Council (TWAC). As part of the application process, Tem submitted a portfolio of three pieces showcasing his skills in visual arts, focusing on mechanical sculptures.

View Tem's pieces by clicking the link here.

"It felt really satisfying that my work was at the level to be recognized," Tem shared, reflecting on the achievement. His portfolio stands out for its craftsmanship and innovative exploration of motion within sculpture.

Tem’s approach to creating art involves blending traditional techniques with modern technology: "At first, I would cut the parts by hand, but I wanted to make more complicated pieces and realized I needed technology to get more precise," he explained. This transition allowed him to bring his sculptures to life with greater accuracy and complexity.

A key challenge in his work lies in translating sketches into precise 3D models. “The hardest part is converting the loose sketch to a precise 3D model with dimensions," Tem noted. This step, which he accomplishes using specialized software, takes the most time but is crucial to ensuring his sculptures function properly once assembled.

Tem says his passion for mechanical sculptures began to flourish in Ms. Whiting’s art class, where he had the freedom to experiment with different techniques and mediums.

“There was this open book to do arts in unique ways,” he said. The class provided a supportive environment that encouraged creative exploration. “I was given all the support I needed to explore," Tem recalled. As his projects grew in complexity, he was able to take advantage of the School's advanced tools, such as the Innovation Lab’s laser cutter, to bring his ideas to life with even greater precision.

The unique combination of mechanical engineering and artistic expression is evident in his current work, which features a sculpture with a motor. “I am working on a piece that will be driven by a motor, ” Tem revealed. This project represents the culmination of his exploration of motion, as it takes his previous hand-cranked sculptures to a new level of interactivity and complexity. The integration of mechanical movement not only elevates the aesthetic of the piece but also reflects Tem's ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of his craft.

“It’s been an honor to watch Tem grow as an artist beginning in Art 1 where he experimented with Photoshop to create short animations. His technical skills and scientific prowess are on full display in his kinetic artwork,” exclaimed Ms. Jamila Musa-Carr, Visual Arts Faculty. “His art has evolved and each day his portfolio continues to elevate to greater heights. His work truly embodies the essence of STEAM. The way he speaks about his work is inspiring and I am so very proud of his various accomplishments.”

Looking ahead, Tem remains dedicated to refining his skills and exploring new creative possibilities. Winning the TWAC scholarship is just one step in his artistic journey, and he plans to continue developing his innovative approach to mechanical sculptures.

"I told the judges I wanted to focus on motion in the pieces I create," Tem said, underscoring his vision for the future. As he prepares to graduate from high school, Tem's future in the world of art and design is bright, with endless possibilities for continued growth and discovery.

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The John Cooper School is an independent, non-sectarian, co-educational, college preparatory day school. Our mission is to provide a challenging education in a caring environment to a diverse group of select students, enabling them to become critical and creative thinkers, effective communicators, responsible citizens and leaders, and lifelong learners.

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