Sister Cities International announces 2020 Young Artists And Authors Showcase Winners. Congrats to our winner Eike Mussig Contreras who went on to become a finalist in the international competition.
Sister Cities International press release:
SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES 2020 YOUNG ARTISTS AND AUTHORS SHOWCASE WINNERS
Washington, DC – Sister Cities International is proud to announce the winners and finalists of the 2020 Young Artists and Authors Showcase (YAAS). For over three decades, the Young Artists and Authors Showcase has given youth from around the globe the opportunity to express their vision for a more unified, peaceful world through original artwork and literature.
The 2020 Showcase encouraged youth to submit entries inspired by the theme “One World: Out of Many, We Are One.” Inspired by the theme, young artists, and authors shared their vision of unity and expressed how recognizing the world’s oneness allows them and their communities to flourish. “Since its inception, youth have been submitting their inspiring artwork to the Young Artists and Author Showcase for 32 years. Every year, we are increasingly in awe of the youth’s work as they never cease to show perspective and insight. This year’ entries are especially creative and expressive, exemplifying the theme in ways we never would have thought. We’re excited to share the next generation’s work with the world on our website” said Leroy Allala, Sister Cities International President and CEO.
The 2020 Young Artists Showcase (U.S.) Grand Prize winner is Rose Linn from Lexington, KY for her artwork titled “We Are All One.” Finalists include Amber Lee of Santa Clarita, CA; Ava Hardin of Wilmette, IL; Penelope Choi of Columbia, MD; Natalie Eden of Norfolk, VA; and Eike Mussig Contreras of Scottsdale, AZ. The 2020 Young Artists Showcase (International) Grand Prize winner is Haruto Tsuda from Osaka, Japan for his artwork titled “Morning of Fertility”. Finalists include Nadejda Rata of Ungheni City, Moldova; Amane Iwahori of Fukui, Japan; Hannah Jeong of British Columbia, Canada; Luis Angel Equihua Gembe of Michoacán, México; and Ryota Suzuku of Narashino, Japan.
The 2020 Young Authors Showcase (Essay) Grand Prize winner is Julie Park from Lexington, KY for her work titled “Birds of a Feather.” Finalists include James Boylan of Delray Beach, FL and Valeria Junguito from Bogotá, Colombia. The 2020 Young Authors Showcase (Poetry) Grand Prize Winner is Elise Welch from Grandview, MO for her work titled “If You Cannot Stand.” Finalists include Sydney Hooper of Santa Clarita, CA and Marat Bennet of Santa Barbara, CA.
The 2020 Young Artists Showcase (Photography) Grand Prize winner is Carolyn Ervin from Norfolk, VA for her work titled “Bridge to the Future”. Finalists include Cassidy Biener; Erika Natalie; Lian Ziyu; Rubani Chugh; Riley Masterson; and PuTian Gu.
The Grand Prize winners will each receive a $1,000 cash prize. In past years, Sister Cities International has sent the artwork on tour to several cities across the U.S. However, due to the pandemic, this year it will not be possible to do so. This year’s winners and finalists will have their work showcased on the Sister Cities International website, making it accessible for many to appreciate the artwork.
For more information about the Showcase, email Jina Shim at jshim@sistercities.org.
About Sister Cities International
Founded as a Presidential Initiative by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956, Sister Cities International serves as the national membership organization for 350 member communities with over 1,800 partnerships in more than 137 countries on six continents. The sister city network unites tens of thousands of citizen diplomat volunteers who work tirelessly to promote the organizations’ mission of creating world peace and understanding through programs and projects focusing on arts and culture, youth and education, business and trade, and community development.