Rachael Zhang '28
Jan 24, 2025
Though only in her first year at Mercersburg, Lucia Gamble ‘25 has made her mark across Mercersburg’s broad arts department. By her own account, she has experienced rich and fulfilling growth in the arts at Mercersburg. “My time has been really positive. There are so many opportunities here. I've been able to try a range of different subjects, which has broadened my horizons,” Gamble said. She has explored everything from sculpture, ceramics, videography, and photography to dance and chorale.
Kelsey Rupp, Gamble’s dance instructor, spoke highly of the artist: "When Lucia came in this year as a postgrad, her willingness to jump in was truly remarkable. She has a positive presence in the dance studios, always eager to work hard.” She further commended Gamble for her positive energy in the dance studios and her willingness to make the most of the opportunities available through Mercersburg's dance program, all of which have contributed to Gamble’s technical and performative progress.
“When she started, she didn't have much prior dance experience, but her confidence has soared. I've seen her excel in jazz dance, and her ballet training has also improved greatly. Her strength lies in her ability to adapt, learn, and take feedback,” said Rupp. “I'm really proud of her and wish we had more time.”
Nevertheless, Gamble’s art journey has not been without its challenges. “With ceramics, it was hard to pick up at first. It was more challenging than I expected, but with practice, it got easier,” she said.
She also had to adapt to the structure of course offerings at Mercersburg in contrast to the United Kingdom, where “you don't have as much free range to choose what you wanna do; back home, you choose something, and then the teacher approves it and then you go ahead with that. At Mercersburg Academy, you receive an assignment and then you complete it.”
One of her greatest accomplishments has been her work in Arts Practicum, in which she experimented with a photographic print technique called cyanotypes, leading to impressive results despite her inexperience. Gamble has moved on to linocuts, turning her photos into carvings and printing them with ink.
After graduating from Mercersburg Academy, Gamble plans to study commercial photography and journalism, potentially at the University of the Arts London or another university in her home country. She credits her teachers at Mercersburg and her previous school as well as photographer Andy Gotts as her greatest influences.
For younger students interested in the arts, Gamble offered, “Try as many elements ofthe arts as you can” and “Put yourself out there.” She suggested, “Just because you haven'tdone something before doesn't mean it's not for you. It takes time to develop and hone a skill. Make the most of every opportunity.”