Families, friends and intrigued onlookers flocked to the Old Sculpin Gallery in Edgartown Sunday night for an exhibition put on by the next generation.

The show by the Martha’s Vineyard Art Association celebrated this year’s student scholarship winners: Sydney Emerson, Parker Bradlee and runner-up Rayssa Lacerda.

Sydney Emerson with her embroidered art. — Jeanna Shepard

“I’m just so excited and nervous being here,” Ms. Lacerda said.

She pointed out her favorite piece on display — a self portrait with different flowers coming out of her face.

“It was mostly an assignment of combining two different artists or historical events into a personalized concept,” she said.

Dana Kamberg, manager of Old Sculpin Gallery, said she enjoyed working with the students to prepare for the exhibition. For Ms. Emerson’s piece, that meant figuring out how to display her hanging embroidered pieces.

Rayssa Lacerda will attend Ringling College of Art and Design next year. — Jeanna Shepard

“We really wanted it to feel a little bit campy and we wanted it to feel a little bit more engaging than just clothing on hangers, because we’ve seen that before,” Ms. Kamberg said. “To have these wires running across creates this environment for it, and it creates this visual movement.”

Ms. Emerson’s passion for the arts came from her mother.

“She used to read to me and my brother stories when we were little and I think that’s kind of what jump-started my love for reading and writing,” she said. “Anything and everything storytelling, I love to do.”

Mr. Bradlee’s photography was inspired by receiving a drone as a gift during the pandemic. Hanging his artwork became a learning experience too, and required a bit of improvisation.

Parker Bradlee (right) get some help displaying his art. — Jeanna Shepard

“That was an opportunity for Parker to grow as an artist and understand exactly what kind of hardware you need in planning for an exhibition,” Ms. Kamberg said.

All three of the student will continue their journeys in college next year. Ms. Emerson will attend Clark University to study media, culture and the arts; Mr. Bradlee heads to Endicott College to study entrepreneurship; and Ms. Lacerda will attend Ringling College of Art and Design to study game art.

Ms. Kamberg said providing “emerging” local artists with support is an important part of the gallery’s mission.

“It’s essential for all galleries, especially for emerging artists specifically, to have a support system and to have a community,” she said.