 When middle school students in Collier County were given the unique opportunity to visually express the power of words in an upcoming art contest and exhibition sponsored by K is for Kids Foundation, one hundred and forty-two ‘tweens and teens responded with enthusiasm.
The resulting competition for top honors proved close, but it was the clever use of color and creativity that gave Manatee Middle School student Edgar Puentes the winning edge.
The seventh grader won Best of Show by a decisive lead, as well as first place seventh grade, for his colored-pencil image of the word “Hard” with letters “carved” from brick, wood, granite and steel in striking detail.
The competition’s next top spot went to another Manatee Middle School student, Jeralyn Martinez, who scored second overall and second place seventh grade with her illustration of the word “Florida,” incorporating a palm tree, an orange slice, a glowing sun and pelican in letters “standing” on a beach.
Dahlia Pearce, an eighth grader at North Naples Middle School captured third place overall and first place in her grade category with her multimedia piece “Change.” Against a background of rich hues of purples and blues, Pearce placed pictures of coins down either side of a quotation from a popular TV show, playing upon the word’s double meanings.
North Naples Middle School students continued to score high in the eighth grade category, sweeping up first, second and third places.
Sixth graders from Manatee Middle School* also entered the competition with rewarding results: Hector Meza’s delightful depiction of the word “Food” cast him in fourth place overall. *(Not all middle schools offer art classes as an elective class for sixth graders.)
The contest was all part of K is for Kids Foundation’s mission to encourage kids to read more. Twenty-eight “Power of the Word” finalists will have their artwork displayed in the Collier County Sheriff’s Office Art Gallery from April 21st through June 2nd. The public is invited to come meet the young artists at the opening night reception on Thursday, April 21st from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. and view the works gracing the gallery walls.
“It’s quite an honor for these middle school students to have their art displayed in this community exhibition,” said Karen Clawson, founder and executive director for the Foundation, noting it’s the third exhibition hosted by the C.C.S.O. and the first for K is for Kids. “There aren’t many opportunities like this for middle schoolers and this event provides a chance for these budding artists to stretch their wings a bit. Much appreciation goes to the teachers who encouraged their students to enter and the businesses and individuals who gave so generously to reward these young artists’ efforts.”
The opening night reception will begin with a welcome from Sheriff Rambosk and Callie Spilane, Director of Education from the Naples Art Association, will present the grand prize for Best of Show. Linda Cummings, Fine Arts Coordinator for Collier County Public Schools, will be on hand also to congratulate the students.
Special guests and local authors Robert Dean Bair, Maureen Sullivan-Hartung and Jennifer Craig will be giving out signed copies of their books to the top honorees.
“All the competitors are to be congratulated for their work and I feel that people will be pleased with the works being presented,” continued Clawson. “I’ve heard lively discussions about the artworks already and I think this reflects the depth of talent and effort by the artists. I believe we can say with confidence that these finalists illustrate how readers are leaders in whichever field they choose to compete.”
In addition to awards of autographed books, rosettes and ribbons, popular prizes will be given the top finalists including the donation by the Naples Art Association for a week of summer art classes at The von Liebig Center, Earth & Fire gift certificates, free admission to the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens and King Richard’s Fun Park, complimentary salon services at Salon C International, V.I.P. tickets to Silverspot Cinema, dinner for two at Chili’s restaurant, Starbucks gift certificates, art prints by local artist Brenda Tucker, and art canvases donated by batik artist Muffy Clark Gill.
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