First Place

Lake Cabin
mixed media

by Kaylee Szilvasi, a student from the Puyallup, WA

First Place in the Category of First, Second, and Third Grade is Kaylee Szilvasi, a student from Puyallup, WA, for “Lake Cabin.” Measuring 12 x 15 x 7 inches, this three-dimensional scene is crafted from modeling clay, depicting a vibrant and playful landscape. The scene features a small cabin near the bottom right, surrounded by a lush, green grassy area. A tall tree stands to the right of the cabin, with layers of green foliage. A river flows from the top left corner, winding its way through the center of the scene, bordered by small, round stones. A log bridge crosses the river near the center, with a small, colorful boat positioned beneath it. In the top left corner, there is a small, snowy mountain, with a bird perched on it. The grassy areas are decorated with large, colorful flowers in shades of pink, orange, purple, and blue, adding a whimsical touch to the scene. The overall composition conveys a serene and idyllic outdoor environment, with an imaginative and detailed use of clay to bring the scene to life.

Second Place

Self Portrait of an Inventor
mixed media

by Derek Gould, a student from Volant, PA

Second Place in the Category of First, Second, and Third Grade is Derek Gould, a student from Volant, PA for “Self Portrait of an Inventor.” Measuring 11 x 8.5 x 5/8 inches, this mixed-media artwork creatively combines drawing with various textured materials. The portrait is of a face, outlined in black, with details like the eyes, nose, and mouth clearly defined. The face itself is filled with a variety of round, wooden beads, adding a three-dimensional aspect to the portrait. These beads vary in size and color, creating a tactile surface. The hair is depicted using darker, wooden cone-shaped pieces, giving it a distinct texture. The background is decorated with colorful plastic bottle caps in red, blue, green, yellow, black, and pink, arranged in a playful, grid-like pattern around the face. The clothing is represented by an assortment of blue and purple jewel-like beads, which are positioned below the face, mimicking a shirt or collar. Additional details include small orange and pink beads used for the eyebrows and lips, and a few shiny silver sequins along one side of the face, perhaps representing an earring or accent. The combination of these materials with the drawn lines gives the portrait a unique, inventive quality, blending the simplicity of line drawing with the complexity of textured materials.

Third Place – Tie

Happy Feet
ceramic

by Grace Rohlfing, a student from the Overbrook School for the Blind in Philadelphia, PA, for “Happy Feet”

Third Place – Tie is Grace Rohlfing, a student from the Overbrook School for the Blind Philadelphia, PA, for “Happy Feet.” Measuring 5 ½ by 3 inches, this ceramic sculpture depicts a small, round penguin with a whimsical appearance. The penguin has a soft, pinkish body with rounded features, including two arms and large, flat feet. The face is minimalistic, with two small holes for eyes and a protruding, carrot-like nose painted in orange-red hues. Atop its head, the penguin wears a floppy, pointed hat in a marbled blue and white glaze, adding to its playful and fantasy-like character. The overall texture is glossy, with the colors blending in a slightly mottled pattern, giving the piece a lively and cheerful feel. The penguin’s posture, combined with the hat, gives it an endearing personality, reminiscent of a magical creature or a character from a children’s story.

Third Place – Tie

Squiglly
acrylic

by Griffin Smith, a student from the Arkansas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Little Rock, AR

Third Place – Tie in the Category of First, Second, and Third Grade is Griffin Smith, a student from the Arkansas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Little Rock, AR, for “Squiglly.” Squiglly measures 10 x 12 inches and depicts an abstract painting featuring bold, vibrant streaks of color on a white background. Three prominent brushstrokes dominate the composition, each in a different color: red, yellow, and blue. The brushstrokes are fluid and dynamic, with each color forming a distinct vertical streak that curves and tapers off towards the top, creating a sense of movement. The red streak is on the left, broad and slightly uneven with some areas appearing more saturated than others. The yellow streak is in the center, thinner and smoother, contrasting sharply with the other colors. The blue streak on the right is thicker and more textured, with some white areas showing through where the paint has been applied less densely. The name “Griffin” is signed in the bottom right corner in a pencil script, identifying the artist. The overall impression is one of playful spontaneity, with the bright colors and energetic lines conveying a sense of joyful creativity.