How a quiet Wisconsin high school senior used her art to connect with her classmates

Waunakee, Wisconsin

18-year-old Molly Schafer, perceived as a loner by her classmates at Waunakee High School, turned her desire for connection into a creative project by painting portraits of 44 former friends, dedicating 600 hours to the effort. Her artwork not only received praise but also prompted reflections among her peers about the importance of social relationships and the misconceptions regarding friendship.

Explain It To Me Like I’m 5: Molly Schafer, an 18-year-old girl from Wisconsin, felt lonely in high school, so she decided to paint beautiful pictures of her old classmates to reconnect with them and show that she wanted to be friends again.

Want More Context? 🔎