ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTO Belvidere Republican
Abbey Brynolf holds her blue ribbon winning painting.

By Anne Eickstadt

Editor

The 2020 Young Artist Showcase has had up to 28 young high-school age artists submit works for their international competition. While not yet winning first place internationally, some Belvidere young artists have placed very highly in the national and international levels.

This year only eight youth took up the challenge and all eight attend Belvidere North High School. BNHS art teacher Mr. Troy Yunk delivered the paintings to Sue Grover of Sister Cities, at Midland States Bank, 600 S. State St. on Wednesday, March 11. Midland Bank decided to display them in their lobby so more members of the community would be able to view them. Sister Cities, taking COVID-19 precautions, decided to dispense with refreshments this year and reduce the amount of people at the awards ceremony scheduled for Saturday, March 21.

On Monday, March 16, the judges for the competition were all agreed that while there were not a large number of works of art, the pieces that were submitted were all very fine work and took their time making their decision. Each artist wrote an explanation of their inspiration and the meaning behind their work.

The following day, Tuesday, March 17, Midland Bank informed Sue that, due to their own COVID-19 precautions, the bank was closing their lobby, the artworks could not continue to be displayed, and the awards ceremony on Saturday would be cancelled.

Sue went straight to the bank and collected the Young Artist artwork and took it home. Midland States Bank is providing the monetary awards for this event.

She notified the winners and the Belvidere Republican newspaper of the change.

That same afternoon, the First Place blue ribbon winner came to complete the winner’s paperwork and have her picture taken for this newspaper.

The theme for this year’s Sister Cities’ Young Artist competition was “One World: Out of Many, We are One.”

First Place winner Abbey Brynolf, is a senior at Belvidere North High School. Her painting is done in watercolor and is titled “Our One World.”

“While there are many wonderful things that happen in this world, there are also a lot of challenges that the inhabitants of this earth face every day. The leaders of our nations are faced with constant issues, tragedies, and problems that require their attention. While it would be wonderful if governments could give each issue the attention it deserves, this is just not possible.

“It is important that citizens step up and get involved. People are one of our most valuable resources. By working together, average citizens can do much to help in a crisis, promote change, and make a difference.

“I felt this during the catastrophic wildfires in Australia. What was happening was more than the people of Australia could handle, and people all across the world came together with helping hands, supplies, donations, and good will. This effort continues as the fires are contained and the country tries to rebuild and heal.

“I wanted to use this as a basis for my art to illustrate how we can tackle challenges if we come together as one for ‘Our One World.’”

Abbey was the first place winner at the Sister Cities’ Young Artist competition last year as well when it had a completely different panel of judges.

“This was not a school project,” Abbey’s mother said. It took many, many hours at home to find her inspiration and sketch it, and fine-tune it. She is always drawing, day in and day out.”

“Next year I will be going to Rock Valley College,” said Abbey. “I will be studying graphic design.”

“What truly inspired ‘Garden of Life,’” wrote second place winner Millie Ochoa, was the phrase ‘we are one.’ What my artwork means is that, in unity, we accomplish everything we need. The hands reaching out to the world represent the on Earth. We all come together in order to live our best life. Once we do, which is the hand actually touching the earth, we set off everything – it all ‘grows.’ The Earth represents the ‘seed of life’ as there’s flowers growing out of it with roots. Each flower represents something in life that we all want. There is a chrysanthemum, which represents optimism and joy – everyone would want that in their life. Then the nettle (stinging) which represents life and death – something that is bound to happen. The phlox, which means partnership and hommaj (as written). Other tub, yellow poppy and light pink lose – roll their own something in life.”

Third Place winner Caelan Pope submitted “Watching Over as One” to the competition. “’Out of many, we are one.’ The overall theme made me know well that I would insert a multitude of world flags would together as one, as well as the Earth being present in the piece as well. So, I got to idea planning. The thing that stood out to me most was a concept of a guardian angel theme with the angel representing the world’s countries and population looking over the Earth. This piece somewhat stretches through the line of one world, out of many, but the message is still there.”

Sister Cities International is a non-profit organization which promotes peace, understanding, respect, and friendship throughout the world. The first place winning art has already been sent on to Sister Cities International headquartered in Washington DC.

 
 
 
Buy Viagra Overnight Delivery USA.