24-06-2025
Teen artist ‘blooming' into her craft
BUTLER TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — There is no denying that the pandemic disrupted student learning and development, but one local teen turned that time in isolation to tap into her creativity, which can now be seen in her community.
Take a look around Hazleton Area Arts and Humanities Academy (HAAHA), and you will see the lasting mark Ava Leitner left on the school that gave purpose to her studies.
'It feels a bit more open for creativity here, and I really enjoy being able to express that,' said Ava.
The teen artist painted multiple murals, including a bug-themed mural near a biology room, another with colorful numbers near the math classroom, and one that is perfect for the reading and English area.
Ava points to the COVID-19 pandemic with finding the time to hone her art skills.
'I ended up watching a lot of art YouTubers at that time, and it really inspired me to start actually start drawing myself,' explained Ava.
It did not take long for her visual arts teacher to recognize Ava's passion for art.
'When you have a student who's that motivated, it's wonderful. You just point them and set them in directions, and you just try to facilitate their creativity and give them more opportunities to express that,' said Honors Visual Arts Instructor at HAAHA, Anne Flowers.
Ava's biggest project to date, both in size and scope, cannot be found inside the school.
'There was a blank wall, and my boss allowed me to do a mural there,' explained Ava.
'There' is at Conyngham Floral on the South Hunter Highway, where Ava has worked part-time for a couple of years.
'So, since it's a flower shop, I just picked out some flowers that I thought would go best and drew up a concept digitally and then ended up projecting it on, tracing it, and starting to paint,' said Ava.
Involved valedictorian helping those around her
The mural features bright yellow sunflowers surrounded by red roses and a purple stargazer lily.
Ava began the artwork in October 2024, quite a project for a budding muralist.
'We did have to use scaffolding, and that was a bit of a pain to use, moving it constantly,' said Ava.
'Very intimidating to jump into something like that, and she was outside, and cars were going past, and she's working really hard, and it just, it speaks to her character,' said Flowers.
Ava completed the mural in a couple of weeks, and how have people responded to it?
'Very positively. I am still receiving comments,' said Ava.
Ms. Flowers is proud to see the teen behind the flower shop mural, well, flourish.
'Ava is wonderful, and I wish I could clone her, and I'd teach for free,' said Flowers.
And how does Ava feel about blooming into the artist she's become?
'Definitely very proud of myself for being able to accomplish something that people can enjoy,' stated Ava.
Ava says she has another mural project lined up this summer in Hazleton.
Meanwhile, she plans to attend Luzerne County Community College this fall for general studies before transferring next year to Kutztown University, where she will major in art.
Here's to you, Ava.
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