First Place – Tie

Opossum Jesus
acrylic

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

First Place, Tie in the Category of Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Grade is Beryl Baker, a student from the Arkansas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Little Rock, AR, for “Opossum Jesus.” Measuring 28 by 22 inches, Opossum Jesus depicts a stylized opossum character in a pose reminiscent of traditional religious iconography, often seen in depictions of saints or holy figures. The opossum has a grayish-white fur coat with a pink nose, large expressive eyes, and dark ears. A single tooth hangs out from under its lips. Its head is surrounded by a large golden halo, adding to the sacred, saintly appearance. The opossum is dressed in robes, featuring deep red and dark blue colors. One hand is raised in a gesture of blessing, with delicate, almost human-like fingers that have long, pointed nails painted gold. The other hand holds a gold book, which is ornately decorated with patterns that resemble animal tracks. The background is a rich blue with small golden stars, giving the image a celestial feel. The entire composition is a blend of whimsical and reverent elements, using anthropomorphism and religious motifs in a humorous and artistic manner.

First Place – Tie

Pool Man
digital art

by Clover Polk, a student from Lincoln, NE

First Place, Tie in the Category of Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Grade is Clover Polk, a student from Lincoln, NE, for “Pool Man.” This digital artwork features a stylized character standing in a pink rectangular pool, set against a serene background of the ocean and a pale blue sky. The character has a humanoid form but with distinct and surreal features. He has long, flowing hair that transitions from blue at the top to pink at the tips, with the hair framing his face and covering one eye and a soft smile. The character’s body is segmented into various colored shapes and blocks, creating a patchwork effect. These blocks are colored in bright hues such as green, blue, orange, and pink. His arms are also covered in these colorful patches, but instead of traditional human arms, they resemble much more like fish fins, where hands would be. The character’s lower half, from the waist down, transitions into a large, curled blue tail, resembling that of a sea creature or mermaid. The tail is wrapped with a pink and white striped band, adding to the surreal quality of the figure. In the background, the scene is tranquil with showerheads suspended in mid-air, spraying water that glistens under the soft light. The setting appears dreamlike, blending elements of both the natural world and abstract, fantastical imagery. The overall tone is calm, with soft pastel colors dominating the scene.

Second Place – Tie

House of Stone
mixed media

by Zy Fagin, an artist from the Georgia Academy for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Macon, GA

Second Place, Tie in the Category of Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Grade is Zy Fagin, a student from the Georgia Academy for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Macon, GA, for “House of Stone.” This sculpture, measuring 12 by 5 by 20 inches, is a model of a small, two-story house constructed with cardboard and paint to resemble a stone exterior. The house has a simple yet sturdy design, with its walls painted in a gray, stony pattern that mimics rough, uneven stonework. The roof is steeply pitched and covered with overlapping shingles painted in a bold red color. The shingles have a slightly weathered appearance, with some areas showing hints of yellow, adding to the rustic, worn look of the structure. At the top of the roof is a stone chimney, matching the texture and color of the house’s walls. The house features two windows on the front, one on each floor. These windows are framed in white, providing a stark contrast to the dark stone walls. The windowpanes are divided into small sections, though the openings appear empty, giving a sense of age. The front door is positioned directly below the first-floor window. It is painted red, matching the roof, and framed in white like the windows. The overall aesthetic of the model house suggests an old, possibly historical building, with its rough stone construction and the weathered appearance of its roof and door.

Second Place – Tie

Self Portrait
mixed media

by Destiny Butts, an artist from the Georgia Academy for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Macon, GA

Second Place, Tie in the Category of Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Grade is Destiny Butts, a student from the Georgia Academy for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Macon, GA, for “Self Portrait.” Measuring 10 by 6 ¾ inches, this artwork depicts a vibrant and intricate self-portrait. The composition features a central figure, a woman of African descent with a serene expression, gazing slightly to the side. The portrait is framed by an elaborate and colorful background that blends patterns and shapes, creating a dynamic and lively atmosphere. The artist uses a combination of bold, bright colors, including greens, oranges, purples, and blues, to form the surrounding patterns, which seem to radiate outwards from the figure’s head like hair, or a headwrap. The patterns are varied, including geometric designs, organic shapes, and abstract motifs, all interwoven in a way that adds depth and texture to the piece. The contrast between the realistic rendering of the woman’s face and the stylized, almost surreal background creates a striking visual effect, highlighting the subject’s calm demeanor amid the surrounding vibrancy. The piece is bordered by a dark, wooden frame that enhances the vivid colors of the artwork.

Third Place

House Fire
digital art, photography

by Caeden Stewart, a student from Norwood, NY for “House Fire”

Third Place in the Category of Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Grade is Caeden Stewart, a student from Norwood, NY, for “House Fire.” Measuring 14 by 11 inches, House Fire is a compelling and intense piece that blends vibrant colors with abstraction to evoke a sense of chaos and destruction. The dominant colors in the artwork are fiery reds, oranges, and yellows, representing flames, which seem to consume a darkened structure in the background. These colors flow into cooler blues and purples, possibly representing the night or the remnants of what was once a lively, illuminated space. The flames are almost lifelike, twisting and curling as they devour the structure, giving a sense of movement and urgency. The bright colors are sharply contrasted against the dark shadows, emphasizing the violent energy of the fire. Hints of what appears to be architectural elements, like windows or walls, can be seen behind the flames, suggesting the presence of a house or building being engulfed. Overall, the artwork captures the devastating beauty and power of a fire, juxtaposing the warmth and brightness of the flames with the darkness of the night and possible loss represented. The vivid colors and abstract representation make House Fire a striking piece.