Two Riviera Preparatory School students have earned statewide acclaim after their art was selected for a prestigious student showcase hosted by the Salvador Dalí Museum. Senior Jose Bravo Rosso and sophomore Julia Giinali were honored for their surrealist pieces, standing out among hundreds of submissions from across Florida.
The annual competition, centered on the theme “the surreal self,” challenged students to create works that blend realistic technique with imaginative, dreamlike concepts. According to art teacher Christine Prieto-Beers, the contest draws entries from across the state, making the commendation especially competitive.
“I was beyond proud of them,” Prieto-Beers said. “They only select a small number of students, so for both Jose and Julia to be recognized is a big deal.”
Rosso, a senior in Drawing and Painting II, said his initial reaction was surprise.
“I thought it was my worst piece,” Rosso said.
His art explored an “inverted world,” combining underwater imagery with spy elements to reflect his emotions during the college application process. Growing up in Miami influenced his use of ocean themes, but the piece ultimately stemmed from personal feelings of being overwhelmed.
The feeling of the world being upside down is something that we can all relate to. Through everything being flipped, we often come out of these experiences with a renewed sense of clarity and perhaps realize that we will eventually come out on the other side. When fish learn to fly, and orchids grow eyes, only then will we reveal the ephemeral beauty of life. (Christine Prieto-Beers)
“I felt completely out of it during that time,” Rosso said. “Art was a way to express that.”
Rosso noted that his subdued color palette helped his work stand out compared to brighter, more vibrant submissions. “Sometimes you don’t need to be loud to be heard,” he said.
Although he plans to major in anthropology after graduation, Rosso said the acknowledgment motivates him to continue creating. “I’m not doing it for validation,” he said. “But having your work seen like that…it pushes you to go further.”
Giinali, a sophomore in Drawing and Painting I, also expressed excitement upon learning her work was selected. “I was extremely happy,” she said. “I told my parents right away.”
Her piece featured a surreal image centered on a nosebleed, designed to evoke an eerie, disorienting feeling. While not directly tied to a specific personal experience, Giinali said the work represents how a single moment can shift one’s perspective and sense of self.
I was inspired by the intensity of physical sensations that we all experience. I turned a nosebleed into a focal point that holds “my surreal self”. By submerging my face into deep red blood, I personalized my painting in an eerie way. This connects to my identity by showing how a single drop can reflect a person’s whole world. (Christine Prieto Beers)
“It shows how something small can change your whole world,” she said.
Unlike Rosso, Giinali is still exploring her future interests and may not pursue art as a primary focus. However, she emphasized that creativity will remain part of her life. “I feel like everything has some creativity in it,” she said. “I can always bring that with me.”
Prieto-Beers highlighted the unique strengths of both students, noting Rosso’s attention to detail and Giinali’s growing confidence. She added that their success reflects the strength of Riviera’s art program, especially in a statewide competition.
“For me, I can tell them they’re talented,” Prieto-Beers said. “But when the outside world recognizes them, it means even more.”
With one student featured in the museum and another recognized in its online gallery, both artists have left a lasting mark on Riviera’s creative community, demonstrating the power of self-expression through surrealism. As both students continue their respective creative journeys, they are already one step ahead.
