First Place

A City on Jupiter
spray paint

by Felix Nelson, a student from St. Paul, MN

First Place in the Category of Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Grade is Felix Nelson, a student from St. Paul, MN, for “A City on Jupiter.” Measuring 16 x 20 by 1 inches, this artwork depicts a surreal and cosmic scene featuring two large, red-hued planets against a dark, starry sky. The planets are textured, with subtle shades of blue and purple blending into the dominant red, giving them a mysterious and otherworldly appearance. Below the planets, abstract golden-yellow shapes rise vertically like a cityscape. These shapes are layered and fragmented, creating a sense of depth and movement. The dark background, speckled with small white stars, contrasts sharply with the vibrant colors of the planets and the golden structures below, evoking a sense of a distant, futuristic landscape on a far-off planet.

Second Place

The Beauty and the Blur
graphite

by Keira Pursell, a student from St. Paul, MN

Second Place in the Category of Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Grade is Keria Pursell, a student from St. Paul, MN, for “The Beauty and the Blur.” Measuring 30 by 24 inches, this graphite artwork depicts a young girl sitting under a large tree with a thick trunk. The tree is the central feature, its branches extending outward and adorned with vibrant autumn leaves in hues of orange, red, and brown. These leaves are depicted as gently falling around the girl, with some scattered on the ground, creating a warm, autumnal scene. The girl, who has long dark hair, is seated on the grass, knees drawn up close to her body. She is dressed in a short-sleeved hot pink dress and holds a single autumn leaf near her chest, her hands gently clasping it. One eye faces the viewer, and the other blends in with graphite, as though she offers a wink. Her expression is serene, suggesting a moment of quiet reflection or emotional connection with the natural world around her. The background features soft, blended colors, creating a blurred effect that contrasts with the more defined elements of the tree and the girl. This blur emphasizes the calm and contemplative atmosphere of the piece, inviting the viewer to focus on the emotional essence of the scene.

Third Place

Kaden’s Self Portrait
mixed media

by Kaden Fountaine, a student from Ellsworth, ME

Third Place in the Category of Seventh Eighth, and Ninth Grade is Kaden Fountaine, a student from Ellsworth, ME, for “Kaden’s Self Portrait.” This artwork measures 15 by 11 inches, and is a portrait of a person, depicted using a combination of wood engraving and colored drawing. The figure is outlined in dark, bold lines, creating a stylized and simplified representation of a face. The subject wears glasses, and the facial features are rendered in a minimalistic yet expressive manner. The background features soft, pastel-like colors with a mix of blues, greens, and subtle hints of other hues, suggesting an abstract outdoor setting. The blurred and gentle color application contrasts with the sharpness of the engraved lines, giving the piece a unique blend of sharp and soft visual elements. The overall effect is a thoughtful and introspective portrayal, merging natural textures with artistic abstraction.

Honorable Mention

A Touch of Paradise
mixed media, felt

by Olivia Garner, a student from the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Indianapolis, IN

Honorable Mention in the Category of Seventh Eighth, and Ninth Grade is Olivia Garner, a student from the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Indianapolis, IN, for “A Touch of Paradise.” This artwork measures 20 by 16 inches and presents a vibrant tropical sunset over a calm ocean. The sky is filled with rich, warm colors that transition from deep red at the top to a golden orange near the horizon. Thin, felted wispy clouds in shades of purple and dark red streak across the sky, adding texture and depth. The sun, a glowing yellow felted orb, is prominently positioned above the horizon, casting a soft light over the scene. Below the sun, the ocean is painted in deep blues, with gentle waves rolling towards the shore. The transition from the bright, colorful sky to the cooler tones of the ocean creates a striking contrast, emphasizing the tranquility of the scene Garner captured. In the foreground, two palm trees lean towards each other, their trunks and leaves rendered in a textured, tactile style. The palm fronds are made of black feathers, giving them a realistic, three-dimensional look that contrasts with the painted elements of the artwork. The tree trunks are dark, with a textured surface of onyx beads that add to the sense of depth. The combination of the vivid sunset, the serene ocean, and the textured palm trees creates a peaceful and inviting scene, evoking the warmth and beauty of a tropical paradise.

Honorable Mention

Happiness in a Glass
mixed media

by Gabriel Torres, a student from the New York Institute for Special Education in Bronx, NY

Honorable Mention in the Category of Seventh Eighth, and Ninth Grade is Gabriel Torres, a student from the New York Institute for Special Education in Bronx, NY, for “Happiness in a Glass.” “Happiness in a Glass”, measuring 9 by 3 inches, features a detailed representation of an overflowing dessert in a glass, designed to evoke the indulgence and joy of a sweet treat. The dessert is served in a tall, translucent glass with vertical ridges, giving it a classic, vintage appearance. At the top of the glass, the dessert is piled high with a generous swirl of soft-serve ice cream, predominantly white but accented with colorful bits of candy peeking through. These candies add a playful, vibrant touch to the composition, with spots of blue, green, red, and yellow visible beneath the smooth surface of the ice cream. Thick, rich chocolate syrup is drizzled generously over the ice cream, cascading down in glossy streams. The syrup contrasts sharply with the light color of the ice cream. Some of the syrup has dripped over the edge of the glass, enhancing the sense of yummy abundance. A striped straw, bent at the top, is inserted into the glass, adding to the overall playful and inviting aesthetic. The base of the dessert is slightly messy, with traces of melting ice cream and candy suggesting a moment of delicious chaos.