The city of Goodyear and its Arts & Culture Commission are once again calling on local high school students to showcase their creativity in the annual Georgia T. Lord Mayor Select Art Awards.
The juried competition highlights the artistic talent of Goodyear youth, offering students the opportunity to display their work in a gallery-style setting and compete for scholarship awards, including a $600 Best in Show prize.
Last year’s program drew 31 entries from 25 middle and high school artists, the highest participation in several years, according to city officials, and culminated in an awards reception at Goodyear City Hall.
Ethan Baker earned the competition’s top honor, receiving Best in Show for his piece “Normal Everyday Activities.” Winners in each category were awarded $250 scholarships, while runners-up received $150.
Among the winners was Persephone Preciado, who took first place in the Drawing and Painting category for her charcoal portrait titled "Reflection." The piece, her first attempt at working in charcoal, is a deeply personal self-portrait created as a way to process her senior year of high school.
“I made this as a reflection of my overall senior year,” Preciado said. “I took the photo right at the start of this year and drew it now, so then at the end of it, I could look at what I did and who I was before I started. It’s good to compare that to where I am now and the skills I’ve developed.”
Preciado used her award money as a micro scholarship towards attending Arizona State University to study fine arts and business management. She said she hopes it helps her to grow her mural art business and pursue a career as a full-time artist.
Goodyear Mayor Joe Pizzillo praised participants during last year’s ceremony, noting the high level of creativity and technical skill displayed.
“I’m a numbers guy, and I love art mainly because I can’t do it,” Pizzillo said. “I’m just fascinated by the art these students create. We’ve got a great group of young people with great art. It was very difficult to make decisions.”
This year’s competition is open to students in grades nine through 12, including public, private, charter and home-schooled students who reside in Goodyear or attend a high school within the city.
Students may submit up to three original works of art. Entries will be placed in one of three categories: drawing/painting, photography/digital art or 3D/mixed media. Subject matter is at the artist’s discretion.
First-place winners in each category will receive $250 scholarships, with $150 awarded to runners-up. One student will be selected for the $600 Best in Show award. Honorable mention ribbons will also be presented.
Artwork will be juried by a panel of arts professionals, city staff and members of the academic community. Judging criteria include presentation, originality, artistic quality and composition.
Entry forms are due by 11:59 p.m. Monday, March 2. Artwork drop-off is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, at Goodyear City Hall, 1900 N. Civic Square.
The Artist Reception and Awards ceremony will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30, in the Goodyear Council Chambers at 1900 N. Civic Square.
For more information, visit goodyearaz.gov.
James Goldmeer Reporter | Goodyear & Litchfield Park
Meet James James Goldmeer joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2024, starting their career as a reporter in Goodyear and Litchfield Park.
Community: James grew up in the West Valley, calling Avondale home and going to school in Glendale and Peoria. Returning to the community after university, James plans to get involved in everything arts and culture, and civil rights.
Education: Northern Arizona University a bachelor's degree in Journalism, a certificate in Professional Communications, with a minor in English.
Random Fact: James spent half a year as an intern for the Arizona House of Representatives communication team, working with legislators to inform the public through press releases and social media.
Hobbies: James collects postcards and old books, reads memoirs and attends local jazz shows.
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