Exhibition Description: "I create landscape photographs from small objects. Many of the photographs are images of ceramic objects I created, pieces where I experiment with texture, color, and glaze. I then photograph the objects with a macro lens and create abstract photographs which read as landscapes. These photographs transform small parts of objects into worlds that appear to exist in a totally different scale. The place where edges of clay meet may become a sunset; a particular area of glaze on a slab turns into a coastline, seen from above. At times I use water, soap, or other surface treatments to enhance the objects I photograph. The images have an ethereal quality and impart a sense of mystery. The viewer is left to wonder where these landscapes are, and if they exist in a real or imagined world."
Artist's Biography: Mia Rosenblatt Tinkjian received her MFA in Studio Art from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and her JD from Boston College Law School. She is an interdisciplinary artist who enjoys using playing with a variety of materials. In her abstract photographs, she uses clay to create surfaces and to experiment with glazes. She photographs these surfaces in a way that challenges one's understanding of perspective, medium, and scale. The resulting large-scale photographs are giclee printed on matte, textured paper so that they blur the line between photography, painting, and drawing. After having children, Mia found that she spent a great deal of time playing with puzzles. The tools of childhood play soon became the material of her own artwork. In the puzzle pieces, Mia rearranges and recombines commercially produced jigsaw puzzles to create new images which form a commentary on their own visual content.
The Upper School Administration recognized the outgoing and incoming student leadership officers and presented students with academic, athletic, and leadership awards at the annual Closing Awards Ceremony.
After 19 years at Shipley, STEAM teacher John Harris retires, leaving behind a dynamic, student-driven program, a thriving Science Olympiad team, and a legacy of creativity, curiosity, and hands-on learning that inspired his students.
After 32 years at Shipley, Middle School Latin teacher Anne Smith retires, leaving a legacy of rigorous learning, creativity, and unforgettable Classical Adventures that brought the ancient world to life for generations of students.
Dr. Wellenbach’s Upper School Latin students recently competed in two events, the National Latin Exam and the Philadelphia Classical Society Latin Week Competition, with several students earning awards.
The Middle School Science Olympiad team brought home several pieces of hardware from the PA State Science Olympiad Tournament held on April 25 at Penn State Altoona.
Six Shipley students earned awards in the Fei Yue Cup Chinese Speech Contest, held on April 18. The contest was jointly organized by Friends Select School and the Yu Yue Chinese Academy.
The Shipley School proudly announces that six members of the Class of 2026 have been recognized by The National Merit Scholarship Program as Finalists.
What does constant connectivity mean for developing brains? At a recent Learning Child Series presentation, Shipley parent Dr. Jesse Suh, P’31, shared research on digital technology and adolescent development—and offered practical strategies families can use to build healthier technology habits.
The Shipley School is proud to celebrate the achievements of our 2026 Alumni Award recipients — four distinguished individuals who embody the values of excellence, leadership, and service in their respective fields.
Shipley sophomore Kate Ulrich recently earned a second-place finish in the Girls Under 17 division at the US Squash Junior Championship Tournament, held January 17-19 at the Arlen Specter Squash Center in Philadelphia.
Congratulations to Rohail, Ara, Jayden, Doris, and Rishaan for their creativity and award-winning excellence in the CMU CS Academy Fall 2025 Creative Task Competition hosted by Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science.
Martin Sun ’27 and Ara Speirs ’27 each earned recognition in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, , the nation’s longest-running (1923) and most prestigious program for creative teens.
Five Shipley Middle School students, led by science teacher Ace Schwarz, traveled to Phoenix, Arizona to present original astronomy research at the American Astronomical Society conference, one of the field’s leading national gatherings.
Four Shipley colleagues are celebrating milestones anniversaries during the 2025-2026 school year. Celebrating 15 years are Kate Gearhart and Tamar Norquist. Celebrating 25 years are Christian Wareikis and Vince Ceriale.
Eliza Varner, Upper School Physics teacher and Class Dean, recently earned the prestigious National Board Certification, awarded by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). The certification recognizes educators who meet rigorous standards through a performance-based, peer-reviewed process.
Shipley’s annual Swamp Night is on January 23! Bring your family for food and fun with the entire Shipley community. Wear your favorite Shipley gear and join the Shipley Swamp to cheer on our basketball and squash teams!
Motivated by a desire to expand access and opportunity, Shipley student Rishaan Nagar ’26 turned his volunteer experience with SquashSmarts into Squash The Gap—a growing initiative that connects volunteers with Philadelphia students through mentorship and community engagement.
The Shipley School is a private, coeducational day school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students, located in Bryn Mawr, PA. Through our commitment to educational excellence, we develop within each student a love of learning and a desire for compassionate participation in the world.