The “Ungraded” category includes students who have multiple physical challenges (“disabilities”) including blindness, and students who are blind and also not working at a traditional grade level for their age.
First Place
Birds Flying in the Night
acrylic
by Darlene Lewis, a student from the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children in Pittsburgh, PA
First Place in the Ungraded Category is Darlene Lewis, a student from the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children in Pittsburgh, PA, for “Birds Flying in the Night.” Measuring 12 by 12 inches, this artwork features a striking landscape scene with a strong contrast between warm and cool colors. The sky dominates the upper portion of the composition, painted in vibrant shades of red and orange, creating a fiery, almost sunset-like atmosphere. Silhouetted against this bold background are tall, slender trees, rendered in deep, inky black. Their forms are varied, with some trees appearing more jagged and others more rounded, adding texture and depth to the scene. Above the treetops, several abstract bird-like shapes are depicted in black, seemingly in mid-flight. These forms add a sense of movement and liveliness to the otherwise still and serene landscape. The lower portion of the artwork is a stark contrast to the warm tones above, featuring a textured expanse of cool blues and grays, possibly representing a body of water or a shadowed area. The brushstrokes here are more pronounced, creating a rough, almost icy surface that further enhances the sense of contrast within the piece. Overall, the artwork captures a moment of transition, with the warmth of the sky juxtaposed against the coolness below, evoking a sense of stillness and reflection.
Second Place
Deep Sea
digital art
by Ravin Roper, a student from the Missouri School for the Blind in St. Louis, MO
Second Place in the Ungraded Category is Ravin Roper, a student from the Missouri School for the Blind in St. Louis, MO, for “Deep Sea.” This digital artwork, printed on canvas, measures 20 by 16 inches, and depicts a stylized, cartoon mermaid. The mermaid has long, flowing red hair that cascades down her back in soft, voluminous waves. Her upper body features pale, smooth skin, and she wears a pink, glittery seashell chest piece adorned with a delicate, pearl-like necklace. Her facial expression is serene as she gazes at the viewer, with lightly blushing cheeks, and a content smile. The mermaid’s tail is a vibrant green with a textured, scale-like pattern, giving it a realistic nod to sea life. The tail fin is large, pinkish-red, and glittery, matching the sparkle of her seashell top, adding a playful and magical touch. She is also accessorized with a beaded bracelet on her wrist and a string of small, decorative beads around her waist, some of which include star and diamond-shaped charms. The background of the artwork is a soft, oceanic blue with subtle variations that mimic the appearance of underwater light and bubbles, giving the impression that the mermaid is gracefully floating in the sea. The overall mood of the piece is lighthearted and dreamy, capturing the enchanting essence of a mermaid in a fun and colorful way.
Third Place
Anay’s Self Portrait
marker, pencil
by Anaya Maple-Cannaday, a student from Mt. Vernon, NY
Third Place in the Ungraded Category is Anaya Maple-Cannaday, a student from Mt. Vernon, NY, for “Anay’s Self Portrait.” Measuring 11 by 12 inches, this self-portrait blends a pencil drawing with vibrant, colorful backgrounds. The central figure, Anaya, is drawn in pencil with a focus on capturing facial details and expression. The portrait features a soft smile, with smooth shading to define the contours of the face, including the nose, eyes, and lips. The hair is drawn in flowing lines, and the figure is depicted from the shoulders up, with a simple neckline suggesting clothing. The background contrasts sharply with the monochromatic portrait. It is divided into a grid-like pattern, with each section filled with bright floral motifs. These sections are filled with a variety of bold colors, including green, blue, pink, purple, red, and yellow. The trees are drawn in a stylized manner, with circular canopies and simple trunks, creating a playful and lively atmosphere. The juxtaposition of the detailed, realistic pencil drawing against the bright, abstract background creates a striking visual contrast, highlighting the subject while also giving the piece a dynamic, creative energy. The artwork reflects a combination of self-reflection and imaginative expression.
Visioneer Award
My Graffiti Wall
paint on canvas
by Charles Grady, a student from the Missouri School for the Blind in St. Louis, MO
Visioneer Award in the Ungraded Category is Charles Grady, a student from the Missouri School for the Blind in St. Louis, MO, for “My Graffiti Wall.” Measuring 23 ½ by 20 inches, this canvas resembles an urban graffiti wall, filled with layers of text and abstract shapes. The background is predominantly dark, allowing the vivid colors of the graffiti to stand out. White grid lines crisscross the canvas, creating a sense of structure amidst the chaotic energy of the text. The central focus is the word “STRIKE,” repeated several times in varying sizes and shades of white, blue, and gray. Surrounding this, phrases like “LAST YEAR OF SCHOOL” and “MY GRAFFITI WALL” are written in a bold, graffiti-inspired style. Scribbles, doodles, and other abstract forms in colors like yellow, green, purple, and blue add depth and texture to the piece, giving it a dynamic and layered appearance. The overall effect is energetic, rebellious, and evocative of street art, a movement that has gained widespread popularity and continues to grow rapidly as a dynamic art form.