Who WE Are – Aimee Torres

It’s not unusual for Colonial to have exceptionally creative students in all grade levels, but Aimee Torres has quickly become a sought-after artist in the Colonial School District. A 19-year-old student from the John G. Leach school in the STAR Program (Skills for Transition And Resilience), Aimee’s artistic vision is how she sees that the world is filled with colors, a vision that she translates onto canvas. The young artist’s work is now a sensation amongst CSD Teachers, administrators, and students as many often request her one-of-a-kind pieces for their classrooms and homes. Her artwork will even be featured on the CSD holiday card this year.

Aimee came to CSD from Puerto Rico shortly after her home was destroyed by Hurricane Maria. Her teacher, Tracey O’Neill, discovered her talent over zoom when all students were learning virtually at home due to the pandemic. Once students were back in school, she told Aimee to bring her sketches to school and gave her some canvases and paint. Today her classroom is what O’Neill calls Aimee’s gallery.

Aimee began painting at age 12 when she wanted something more than watching TV and discovered she preferred sketching the characters on television instead. She also used Youtube and Googled pictures that caught her eye for inspiration. “I draw it first, then paint it to make it come alive,” she said. Aimee is humble about all of the accolades she gets about her artwork saying simply, “It makes me feel so excited inside with joy. I do it for free and for fun.”

“I think Aimee’s talent is amazing because it’s all self-taught. This has really blown up,” says O’Neill who is thrilled to know the holiday card will feature Aimee’s work. “It’s wonderful because everyone will see Aimee’s talent; it’s not going to be held just in our school…you never know who might reach out to Aimee with an opportunity,” she says. O’Neill is now in the process of trying to get the Delaware Division of Developmental Disabilities Services to provide Aimee with formal art classes. She also hopes to link Aimee with a local children’s author who is looking for an illustrator.

The Colonial School District applauds Aimee Torres for representing Who WE are!

See more of Aimee’s artwork below