Thank you to all of the entrants into the inaugural Youth Art Contest! We received many amazing entries in each category and age group from 33 artists in 15 states and three countries. Every entry demonstrated the theme of “friendship” in a unique and inspiring way. What an impressive turnout for our inaugural year!
We are especially grateful to our guest judges, as they could not have had an easy time in selecting winners from such an inspiring and amazing group of entries. OAR’s guest judges in this year’s art contest included:
Once again, we thank each of these judges for taking the time to select this year’s winners.
And now for the moment, we have all been waiting for: these are the winners of OAR’s inaugural Youth Art Contest:
Me and My Very Best Friend Sterling
Artist’s Description: This painting is based on a photo taken of me and my best friend Sterling. He is a blue Doberman and enjoys our daily walks by the river. He is gentle, kind, and loving in every way. I thought that this painting captures the theme of friendship as Sterling is loyal and always by my side. He is one of my best friends.
Nature Friends
Artist’s Description: The boy is holding a purple bird and a squirrel.
Friends Help Each Other
Artist’s Description: The artist’s only real friends (out of sister and parents) are characters of movies. When asked to draw friends and friendship, the artist drew Leon the Lion who help his other friends to cross a difficult part of their path. He is carrying them on his shoulders and jumping using some swings until it is safe.
We Are All Unique as Stars
Artist’s Description: My teacher asked me to share my idea on friends. We all are as unique as stars and friendship makes the night sky brighter.
Peacock Pals
Artist’s Description: It’s two peacocks meeting for the first time. They become best friends and then they sit down and they lounge together.
A String of Friendship
Artist’s Description: In my opinion, friendship is a special bond between people, like a string connecting them. It’s golden, to symbolize how friendship is sturdy and will last through many years. It relates to autism because it’s important to show autistic people you’ll always be there for them, even when things get difficult. I make sure my “strings” connecting me with my autistic family and friends are extra strong to show I love them.
Two Ideas in One
Artist’s Description: While I painted this piece I had the constant input and chattering of my son who is autistic. His sister had opinions too and I did my best to meet what each of them deemed represented friendship best. Just as they are friends!
Take a look at all the winning entries on the Art Contest page. You can also send a donation e-card featuring the artwork of the winners throughout April. Send your suggestions for next year’s theme to artcontest@researchautism.org. Thank you again to all of this year’s artists, the parents, siblings, and friends who encouraged them, and again the judges. We cannot wait for next year’s art contest!
Teen Wins Award For A Coding Program
In 2020, Sreenidi Bala, a teenager from Farmington, Connecticut, started a passion project that would change the lives of hundreds of autistic students.
RUN Athletes Offer Summer Training Tips
With summer heat waves upon us and fall marathons on the horizon, RUN FOR AUTISM’s Bank of America Chicago Marathon and TCS New York…
New Job Seeker Content on the Hire Autism Website
Hire Autism recently published two new employment-related articles on its website. These articles aim to provide much-needed answers to job seekers’ frequently asked questions.
