Wilmington Students “Restore Our Earth” in Virtual Art Contest
June 29, 2021
The City of Wilmington and Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE) today announced the winners of the 2021 Clean Waterways Wilmington Student Art Contest. Eight student artists who attend school in Wilmington have been awarded Visa gift cards and art supplies for depicting through their art what the environment, particularly water, means to them. The art contest ran from March through May. Students in kindergarten through 12th grades were invited to submit pictures, which they completed in crayon, colored pencil, marker, and mixed mediums reflecting the contest’s theme of “Restore Our Earth.”
The contest educates children in public, private, and home schools about water pollution, such as stormwater runoff, which is a leading cause of water pollution throughout the Delaware Estuary. Stormwater runoff from rain or melted snow sweeps over roofs, driveways, and streets, carrying gasoline, oil, animal waste, and other pollutants into local waterways via storm drains. Many students reflected the importance of water in their artwork. Thirty-two students from three schools within Wilmington city limits entered the contest. A newly created judging rubric determined this year’s winners. The categories were visual impact (overall quality), interpretation and creativity (completeness/effort), composition/design (organization), and theme.
Access the 2021 winning artwork at this link by clicking here [flickr.com].
“This contest is an excellent way for young people, and their families, to become more aware of what we need to do together at home and around the world to protect the earth,” said Mayor Mike Purzycki today in congratulations to participating students. “This is an awareness of not just the future of our planet but of our own health and wellbeing. These children will be carrying on an effort that can benefit themselves and future generations.”
Third Place 9-12 Samantha T. Artist statement: It only takes one drop to create a ripple. Likewise, you have the power to create change. Saving the planet starts with you.
The award winners by age group are listed below. Due to regulations regarding the collection of entries online, the students are recognized by first name, last initial, and their school.
Kindergarten to Second Grade
1st Place: Kiley F., First State Montessori Academy
2nd Place: Lanie B., First State Montessori Academy
Third to Fifth Grades
No eligible entries
Sixth to Eighth Grades
1st Place: JoJo S., Ursuline Academy
2nd Place: `Lucy W., Ursuline Academy
3rd Place: Sarah E., Ursuline Academy
Ninth to 12th Grades
1st Place: Mikaela B., Padua Academy
2nd Place: Anonymous, Padua Academy
3rd Place: Samantha T., Padua Academy
All winners will receive a prize package consisting of a VISA gift card and art supplies, which includes a nature drawing-related book, colored pencil set, and sketch pad. First place winners each receive a $50 VISA gift card and second and third place winners each receive a $25 VISA gift card. First place winners will also have their work printed in a giant street sticker and applied to the streets of Wilmington to act as a visual reminder that we have the power to restore our earth.
The Clean Waterways Wilmington Student Art Contest has been held annually since 2018. Click here [flickr.com] to see winners from previous contests.
The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, host of the Delaware Estuary Program, leads science-based and collaborative efforts to improve the tidal Delaware River and Bay, which spans Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.