Artist at work: Isabel Essig
![Artist at work: Isabel Essig]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1769630864/benlippencom/fnz8z5ufwgatgwyunohn/isabel.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1769630864/benlippencom/fnz8z5ufwgatgwyunohn/isabel.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1769630864/benlippencom/fnz8z5ufwgatgwyunohn/isabel.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1769630864/benlippencom/fnz8z5ufwgatgwyunohn/isabel.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1769630864/benlippencom/fnz8z5ufwgatgwyunohn/isabel.png","width":1350}])
Ben Lippen Senior Spotlight: Isabel Essig
Creativity has always been second nature to Ben Lippen Senior Isabel Essig. From an early age, she found her voice through drawing—using visual storytelling as a way to express emotion, imagination, and meaning. That passion has only grown stronger, culminating in an impressive body of work and a year filled with recognition.
This past year, Isabel earned significant honors by winning the ASCA Art Contest and securing two Silver Keys in the Scholastic Art & Writing Competition for her pieces Canary in a Coalmine and Mosaic of Emotion. She also placed 2nd in the 2025 SCISA Art Show for a mixed media piece. In addition, Isabel previously placed 1st in the 2024 SCISA Art Show for High School Open Media with her work Character Revealed—further highlighting the consistency and depth of her artistic talent. She also serves as President of the National Art Honor Society, earning over 60 service hours within the past two years.
Isabel’s creativity extends well beyond visual art. A gifted musician, she has played the banjo with the Ben Lippen Bluegrass Band for three years and has also performed in Ben Lippen guitar ensembles and the concert band as a flutist. Her dedication to music and traditional arts was recognized in 2024 when she received the South Carolina Bluegrass and Traditional Music Association (SCBTMA) Scholarship Award.
Her artistic influence has also reached beyond campus. Isabel won a logo design contest for the Lexington County business, Circa, with her design Keep It Classic. Inspired by classic 1990s aesthetics, she blended her love of music with physical art to create a clean, timeless composition. After experimenting with multiple sketches and color palettes, she finalized the design using Procreate, balancing simplicity with strong visual impact.
Looking ahead, Isabel plans to pursue a career in illustration, continuing to explore the intersection of art, music, and storytelling. Her work reflects not only refined technical skill but also a thoughtful creative process grounded in curiosity and personal expression.
Isabel Essig’s journey is a testament to the power of creativity developed over time—and Ben Lippen is proud to celebrate a senior whose talent, discipline, and artistic voice continue to inspire.
