Black and gold may be the colors of school pride, but two Oak Park artists find their calling in a wider palette.

From April 21 to 28, senior Jack Wulf and junior Jillian Rifkind presented their art pieces at the Westlake Village Art Guild’s teen show in the Agoura Hills Recreation and Event Center.

Wulf entered his painting “It Was Just A Dream” into the 2-D Fine Art category, which won him “Best in Show” and $250 in prize money. Competing in Monochromatic Photography, Rifkind’s photo, “Bubbles,” won honorable mention.

Juniors and seniors located in and around Conejo Valley high schools entered their works to be presented during the show. The showcase included different categories depending on which medium the participant was focusing on: ceramics, 2-D fine art, color and black and white photography and digital art.

Wulf said his paintings contain many colors from which he pulls inspiration. His piece includes two large faces, painted multiple shades of orange, surrounded by the colors of the rainbow.

“Generally, a lot of my compositions evolve around people. My art involves lots of colors and ideas that build onto each other — it’s sort of stream of consciousness,” Wulf said.

For Rifkind, her cornerstone is photography rather than painting. She said she studies the more anomalous, unseen characteristics in the subjects of her pieces.

“I’m a photographer with an eye for the uniqueness of each individual. I’m inspired to photograph almost anything that catches my eye,” Rifkind said.

Along with being a photographer for over six years, she currently has her own online photography business.

“I’ve run my own business for two years. I do everything from photographing horse shows and competitions to family photos to portraits,” Rifkind said.

Wulf said he has been drawing ever since he could remember. Both he and Rifkind were initially encouraged to enter the competition by their art teacher, Anna Bojorquez, whom Rifkind calls her “favorite teacher ever.”

Wulf will be graduating this year and attending the Rhode Island School of Design. What he sees in the art world, he says, is a “form of self expression.”

“I like how you can portray your thoughts and feelings in a visual way, and people can interpret your work however they please,” Wulf said.

The message behind Rifkind’s photo originated from her own story.

“[The photo] was taken on a trip to Japan with my family. My dad and I went out to take photos as a random excursion one day. He stood off to the side, out of the frame, so I could pretend I was taking a picture of him and not being creepy — which I actually was — while taking a picture of a mom and her child. I chose the piece because my dad passed away three months ago and it’s a really fun memory I have with him,” Rifkind said.

But there are two sides to every story, she reminds artists. There is more than one message she wants to deliver through “Bubbles.”

“My message is to not worry about what other people think, go out and photograph what you want and express your creativity,” Rifkind said.