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Sushi, Sprinkles, and Sculptures: Inside Kinley’s Imaginative World
Colorful cakes, sprinkled confections, rolls of sushi, and puffy pastries—these whimsical delights fill the world of Kinley ’29, a Middle School artist at Friends whose work has turned heads and sparked smiles. Though still early in her artistic journey, Kinley already demonstrates a remarkable knack for realism and a keen eye for detail, especially when it comes to sculpting three-dimensional food items that blur the line between edible and artistic.
Visitors to Friends have paused in admiration before her playful yet intricate pieces—vibrant sweets and candies that look good enough to eat. Kinley’s latest sculptures reflect her growing fascination with realism, as well as her flair for texture, form, and color. From her oversized sushi roll to a towering ice cream hat adorned with rainbow sprinkles, her work draws on familiar comforts and turns them into unexpected and delightful experiences.
An exploration of comfort food began in the art studio under the guidance of Morgan Acheson. Inspired by a unit on the theme, Kinley created a large-scale sushi sculpture that stood out for its lifelike form and attention to detail. But she didn’t stop there. Driven by her own curiosity and a desire to challenge herself, she took things a step further, designing a vibrant dessert-themed hat that quickly became a campus favorite.
“I really care about art,” Kinley says simply. And it shows. Though she may not always begin her projects with a fixed vision, she approaches her work with joy, patience, and playfulness. At home, she spends much of her free time experimenting—testing materials, mixing techniques, and recreating textures using everything from sponges to acrylic paint. What matters most to her is that the process stays fun and imaginative.
Art teacher Miranda Jang recognized the spark in Kinley’s work and recently developed a special “Inspired by Kinley” unit in her Grade 5 class. The project invited students to create their own 3D food art, and the results—ice cream cones, hot dogs, and even McDonald’s chicken nuggets—were as creative as they were cheerful. Kinley’s influence clearly struck a chord.
She’s eager to share her passion more widely and has expressed a desire to collaborate with younger students in both the Lower and Middle Schools. Her advice to aspiring young artists? “Make things your own,” she says. “And don’t take art too seriously.”
From crafting miniature dollhouse furniture as a child to dreaming up playful food sculptures today, Kinley’s journey is just beginning. Whether she becomes a toy designer, set designer, or teacher, one thing is certain: she’ll bring joy, creativity, and a unique sense of wonder to everything she touches.
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Friends Seminary — the oldest continuously operated, coeducational school in NYC — serves college-bound day students in Kindergarten-Grade 12.
