Trinity sophomore Harlan Welch-Scarboro is not the average high school student.  In fact, it’s fair to say that “average” isn’t a word often associated with the Scarboro family.

Harlan has already developed an extensive art portfolio, including two solo art exhibitions and numerous group shows at Craft(s) Gallery. This alone is highly unusual for someone his age. 

Additionally, Harlan has won several awards for his art, including a second place for Contraption Art at an art car event in Houston, the largest art car event in the world.

Harlan said, “Five years ago, I had my first big show that was at an art fair; then I started to become more and more entwined in the art community in Louisville.”

Harlan recently had his first individual public art show, which he shared with his father this past September at Craft(s) Gallery and Mercantile.

Mr. Scott Scarboro, Harlan’s father, is an established Louisville artist, known for sculptures using spare scrap and other materials. He has exhibited at many shows and festivals around Louisville.

One of Scott’s notable pieces, “Upcycle,” can be found at Fourth and Broadway as a part of the Louisville Management District Public Art Bike Rack Program.

Asked what being part of an art show with his son meant to him, Scott expressed his pride. “There’s no other experience like it,” he said.

Art in the family does not stop with father and son.  Many in the family continue their tradition of making art from scratch with objects.

Harlan said, “My mother, sister, father and grandmother are all artists, so I was kind of thrown into that environment when I was born.  I’ve always connected to that, and that’s where I got my start.”

Although Harlan is inspired by many artists, he has developed his own unique gothic style.  Harlan’s work covers a wide range of themes, all with varied meanings.

He likes to use dolls and spare parts from objects in his art to create a singular visual or scene that makes viewers work to comprehend what the images mean or symbolize.

Over time, as Harlan started to become a more prominent figure in the art community, his vision became reality. When asked if he has a piece that he favors, Harlan said he did not have a favorite, nor even keeps his finished products in his house.

He said, “I like to put my art out to the world.”

Harlan’s art teacher and a longtime friend of Scott, Mr. Shayne Hull, said that he could tell that Harlan was “special from the first day of my Art I class.” Hull, an accomplished artist himself, has served as another mentor to Harlan and is one of his student’s biggest advocates.

Hull said Harlan is an outstanding student, and he sees a very bright future for the young artist.

Of his tremendous passion for his art, Harlan said, “The day I cannot make my art will be the day I die.”