This week we feature Chris Wisniewski, the Executive Director of The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. Chris was formerly the Executive Director of the arts organization Studio in a School and Deputy Director for Education and Visitor Experience at the Museum of the Moving Image.

Each year, The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers presents The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, which is the nation's longest-running and most prestigious teen recognition program for students in grades 7–12.

As the 2025 Maryland affiliate for The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards regional competition, BOPA was tasked with collecting and evaluating submissions from all 27 Maryland counties.

Along with hearing from Chris, this episode we’ll also feature several award-winning students who gathered at the Top of the World Observation Level in downtown Baltimore to receive an array of prizes which range from an Honorable Mention, Silver Key, or Gold Key . Gold Keys are automatically forwarded for consideration at the national level of the Scholastic Awards.

The top five submissions in the region for visual art are named American Visions nominees, while the top five for writing are named American Voices nominees. These 10 nominees will go on to compete for a National Medal.