Art Contest

Candidates submitted their creative work on this year’s festival theme, RESILIENCE, for a chance to win a cash prize, be published and featured in the #TeenWritersProject Quarterly Lit Zine, and read their story live at the 2022 Dallas Literary Festival.

Winners

1st Place: 

Renee Taken

Title: Fun in Chaos

Media: Watercolor

Year: 2022

Size: Approximately 3.5x3.5’

Artist Statement:

After 54 years of a beautiful life that includes my husband, four grown children and two grandchildren, I decided to treat myself to a class in watercolor. I have been exploring this medium for the past four years. I have painted everything from very realistic western pieces to very abstract pieces. I have come to understand that my real enjoyment comes from the abstract pieces because of the connection to the energy I feel while making the pieces.

2nd Place:

Ricky Rios

Title: Untitled

Media: Acrylic on canvas

Size: 24 x 18”

Artist Statement:

My color choices were primarily picked subconsciously while listening to the hip-hop genre, which made me feel a sense of success while working on this piece. This feeling of success is a great motivator when I visualize what I listen to.

3rd Place:

Tonatiuh Perez

Title: Heliotropism

Media: Colored pencils on paper

Size: 25.75 x 19.5"

Artist Statement:

The subject is endangered species such as the Quino Checkerspot Butterfly, the Pecos Sunflower, and the American bumblebee. By focusing on endangered species, I combined my passion for environmental sciences and art. The odd proportions and stylized sunflowers depict nature's ability to be bewildering yet nurturing and beautiful.

In partnership with:

Dallas Public Library
Dallas Area Writers Group
The Writer's Garret
Writer's Block, Inc.
Writing Workshops Dallas