about

Layla Sharret is a 17-year-old painter and mixed-media artist who uses art to explore strong emotions, personal experiences, and the world around her. She began studying art at age seven and completed nine years of continuous training, working with watercolor, oil paint, charcoal, paper sculpture, printmaking, tapestry, and pottery on the wheel. Learning across so many mediums has helped her develop a layered and expressive artistic style.

Layla’s work explores the contrast between happiness and pain, including emotions connected to October 7th’s impact on her community. She often incorporates themes such as watching eyes, changes in weather, animal movement, and the warmth of sunshine. Influenced by nature, pop art, and New York imagery, her art reflects how beauty and sadness can exist at the same time.

Layla currently lives in New Jersey and attends a Jewish day school. In addition to her personal art practice, she has been volunteering at the Montclair Art Museum, assisting in teaching art classes to children and helping cultivate their creativity. She also runs a program at the Friendship Circle called Flowers of Friendship, where children with special needs are paired with artistic volunteers to co-produce original works of art. These pieces are auctioned at an annual ladies’ event, with all proceeds donated back to the charity.

Layla served as the illustrator for the children's book The Tea About ADHD. Through her illustrations, she helped bring the story’s message of understanding, inclusion, and neurodiversity to life for young readers. Since its publication, over 1,000 copies of the book have been sold. All proceeds are used to donate copies to schools across New Jersey, helping educate students about ADHD and promote greater empathy and understanding in classrooms. 

Through both her art and her community work, Layla hopes to create meaningful connections and positive impact through creativity.