First Place
Sunflower Garden
monoprint
by Alejandro Poventud, a student from the Overbrook School for the Blind in Philadelphia, PA
First Place in the Category of Preschool and Kindergarten is Alejandro Poventud, a student from the Overbrook School for the Blind in Philadelphia, PA, for “Sunflower Garden.” Sunflower Garden features a vibrant and expressive depiction of sunflowers, painted in an abstract style. The background is white, allowing the colorful elements of the painting to stand out prominently against the stark backdrop. The sunflowers, composed of bright yellow petals, radiate outwards from the center. The centers of the flowers are painted in a rich brown, with small black dots that seemingly reflect the seeds. The green stems and leaves are also abstract, with bold, broad brushstrokes that add texture and movement to the piece. The painting captures the lively essence of sunflowers in bloom, with a playful and spontaneous feel, as the brushstrokes and color application suggest a sense of freedom and creativity. The artist’s signature, “Alejandro,” is visible in the lower left corner of the artwork.
Second Place
Goldfish with Bubblegum
watercolor, salt
by Valentina Centeno-Valentin, a student from the Overbrook School for the Blind in Philadelphia, PA
Second Place in the Category of Preschool and Kindergarten is Valentina Centeno-Valentin, a student from the Overbrook School for the Blind in Philadelphia, PA, for “Goldfish with Bubble Gum.” This artwork features a colorful, abstract depiction of a goldfish enjoying pink bubble gum. The fish is painted in vibrant hues, with its body primarily made up of bright orange, with splashes of green, yellow, pink, purple, and blue. The colors blend together in a fluid, almost watercolor-like manner, creating a sense of movement and vibrancy. The fish’s head and fins are painted in a deep orange, with expressive strokes that suggest motion. Below the fish, there is a cluster of soft, pastel-colored shapes in pink and teal, resembling bubblegum and abstracted bubbles. These shapes are lightly painted, creating a gentle contrast against the more vivid colors of the fish. The background is left white, allowing the colors of the fish and bubbles to stand out boldly. The artist’s signature, “Valentina,” is visible in the lower right corner of the artwork.
Third Place – Tie
Disco Ball
mixed media
by Theodore Pilarski, a student from St. Louis, MO
Third Place – Tie in the category of Preschool and Kindergarten is Theodore Pilarski, a student from St. Louis, MO, for “Disco Ball.” This artwork presents a playful and creative representation of a disco ball, measuring 8.5 by 11 inches. The disco ball is sketched with a rough outline using black crayon, forming a circular shape with an attached handle at the top. Inside the circle, the disco ball is filled with a crisscrossing grid, lightly colored in a mix of pastel shades, including yellow, pink, blue, and orange. These colors are applied in a soft, scribbled manner, giving the ball a textured appearance. Adding a three-dimensional element to the piece, six colorful, fuzzy pom-poms are attached to the disco ball’s surface. These pom-poms are brightly colored in blue, yellow, pink, red, white, and orange, each with a shiny, tinsel-like texture that gives them a sparkling effect, reminiscent of the reflective facets of a real disco ball. The background is a plain, light beige color, allowing the central image to stand out. The simplicity of the background contrasts with the vibrancy and texture of the disco ball, drawing attention to the playful and tactile elements of the artwork.
Third Place – Tie
Pastel Flower Garden
kool-aid, paint
by Abigail Kreszi, a student from the Overbrook School for the Blind in Philadelphia, PA
Third Place – Tie in the category of Preschool and Kindergarten is Abigail Kreszi, a student from the Overbrook School for the Blind in Philadelphia, PA, for “Pastel Flower Garden.” This vibrant, abstract composition is made with soft pastel colors. The piece features an array of organic, fluid shapes that resemble petals, leaves, and blossoms scattered across the canvas. The color palette includes light pink, soft yellow, mint green, and orange, creating a warm and cheerful atmosphere. The brushstrokes and patterns vary in texture, with some areas appearing more translucent and others having a more saturated and textured appearance, adding depth to the composition. The overall effect is reminiscent of a garden in full bloom, interpreted through an abstract and expressive style.