Growing up between cultures can often have negative effects on a person—they’re often at risk of being rejected by one culture if they tend to lean too far into the other.

But Kushi Hebbar, a sophomore at J.P. Stevens High School, has managed to draw from her unique blend of cultures to fuel her artwork. She was kind enough to loan a few of her pieces to put on display in the Edison Public Library in an exhibit titled “Connected.”

Through December 31, Kushi’s work will be shown at both the Main Library and the North Edison Branch. Stop in to see how growing up Indian in America has influenced this teen’s creativity. 

Living by the motto "Too American for some, too Indian for others... But that doesn't matter to me because I get the best of both worlds," Kushi has learned to relish the unique “mix of cultural spices.” She uses color and light in her work to blend those two worlds together so that others can experience them as she does.

So stop into the Main Library or North Edison Branch to see some of the stunning artwork produced by this talented 10th-grader.

Edison Public Library Locations:

Main Library
340 Plainfield Avenue (at Division Street)
Edison, New Jersey 08817
(732) 287-2298

Clara Barton Branch
141 Hoover Avenue (at Pleasant Ave)
Edison, New Jersey 08837
(732) 548-3045

North Edison Branch (at Library Place)
777 Grove Avenue
Edison, New Jersey 08820
(732) 738-0096

Masks will continue to be a welcome option for anyone who wants 
to wear them.