Prizes for the Competition - "These trophies are custom-made by Youth A.C.T. members to honor the occasion. In addition to the trophies, winners received certificates for their prizes and $25 gift cards to Michael’s, Barnes and Noble, and Stop and Shop. We also had four honorable mentions with framed certificates for: Most Creative, Most Inspiring, People’s Choice, and Most Likely to Be Famous."
Caption: Mai Du Photo: Sand T
A 4' x 8' "Community Art Board" for the pubic to express their artistic skills. Photo: Sand T
Young artist at work. Photo: Sand T
Work in progress. Photo: Sand T
Mai Du, Director of Youth Programs of the American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay says, "Members of Youth A.C.T. and I would like to thank each of you for your support of this year’s Urban Art Competition. The community presence has just been so heart-warming with everyone’s support and enthusiastic involvement!" Photo: Sand T
FOOGI - Friends of Oak Grove, Inc. members, (from left to right) Karen Hayes, Paul Sieswerda, Patrick Hayes and Jackie Bouley. Members of FOOGI coordinating their support, they have donated a PA system for the day, as well as 40 boards for the artists to use. Photo: Sand T
Photo: Sand T
Photo: Sand T
Photo: Sand T
Photo: Sand T
People’s Choice Award Winner - Jessica Ma of MaldenName of Art Work: Sunset
- Jessica likes nature and places that brings her a sense of peace. She felt inspired to paint the bright orange sunset to express a sense of serenity and inner peace.
Caption: Mai Du
Photo: Sand T
Photo: Sand T
Photo: Sand T
Anne D'Urso-rose, Assistant Director of MATV video-taping the event. Photo: Sand T
With Sand T are MATV Asian Spectrum video crews, Melody Tzang (center) and Seto (right). Photo: Paul Sieswerda
Members of Youth A.C.T. (Activism, Coalition, Trust). Photo: Paul Sieswerda
Some of the highlights - various performances throughout the hours in the Commons. Photo: Sand T
Photo: Sand T
Three judges for the competition (from left to right): Stephanie Tran, Youth A.C.T. member, recent Malden High School graduate, freshman at Bryn Mar College and Posse Foundation Scholar; Kathy Strissel, member of the Malden Cultural Council and artist (painter and jewelry maker), and Sand T, locally and internationally recognized artist, founder of artSPACE@16 ONLINE and MAKING THE ART SEEN Online Gallery.
Caption: Mai Du
Judging time.... Photo: Sand T
Photo: Paul Sieswerda
Completed art boards. Photo: Sand T
Photo: Paul Sieswerda
Award-winning artists with their works. Photo: Sand T
Mai Du and members of Youth A.C.T. expressed, "Thank you all so much for your support of this great community momentum to support youth artistic expression!" Photo: Sand T
(Left) Most Likely to Be Famous Award Winner: Mai Le Nguyen of EverettName of Art Work: Top of the World
- Mai painted an illuminated Earth with the city landscape in the background highlighting the urbanization of humanity. On top of the world is the Sun Goddess who is looking down on earth giving it light. Both the lights from the urban community and the Sun Goddess make earth bright, healthy, and happy
Caption: Mai Du
Photo: Sand T
Most Creative Award Winner: Anthony Knox of MaldenName of Art Work: No name
- Basically, Anthony painted Jason from Friday the 13th with a hat. Nothing in particular inspired his work except that he thought it would be interesting to depict Jason with a hat, as a different twist to how Jason is usually portrayed.Caption: Mai DuPhoto: Paul Sieswerda
2nd Place Award Winners: Maya Hayes + Grace Cappucio of Malden
Name of Art Work: True Friendship
- Maya Hayes and Grace Cappucio originally started out to create a volcano. Soon enough, the art work split into two halves and each took a side. Maya likes blue and white so she used those colors. Grace likes brighter and louder colors so she used lots of yellow, red, and oranges. The girls shared that they are best friends but of totally opposite personalities. But together, they balance each other out and make true friendship.Caption: Mai DuPhoto: Sand T
Photo: Sand T
Most Inspiring Award Winner: Jesse Bouley of Malden
Name of Art Work: The Splattered
- Jesse started out painting and he soon found that his method was not bringing him satisfaction for his creative process. Spontaneity motivated him to just throw paint onto his work so he started to splatter the paint and kept at it until he felt his self expression process completed. It was a liberating and enjoyable process for Jesse.
Caption: Mai Du
Photo: Paul Sieswerda
Photo: Sand T
1st Place Award Winner: Jonathan Silva
Name of Art Work: Family Name
Jonathan shared that he painted an ‘S’ to represent the first letter of his last name, “Silva”. He created arrows to declare that his family and heritage will live on forever. He liked the colors he used so hence the choices and the planets around the ‘S’ gives it a mystic feeling as if it’s ‘outer space.’
Caption: Mai Du
Photo: Paul Sieswerda
3rd Place Award Winner: Nguyen Le of Everett
Name of Art Work: Leaving Emerald City
- Nguyen shared that a lot of people go to the city to find their dreams and build goals around it. The painting depicts a girl who decided to leave the city of yellow brick road (Wizard of Oz) as she found that the city did not bring her what she has hoped for.
Caption: Mai Du
Photo: Paul Sieswerda
Second Place Award Winners with the judges. Photo: Sand T
With Laureen Scibinico, director of the YWCA, Mai Du expressed, "Many conversations took place to expand support for youth arts in Malden as well. The energy is as strong as ever!" Photo: Sand T
To learn more about the event, contact Mai Du at DuMai (at) usa.redcross.org or Youth A.C.T. at youthact (at) youthactma.org
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