Celebrating Creativity: Teen Sticker Contest Winners at the Amazeum
What is the Teen Sticker Contest?
At the Amazeum, we believe in nurturing creativity and providing a platform for young artists to showcase their talents. Our annual Teen Sticker Contest is a vibrant celebration of youth creativity, where teens get the chance to express themselves through art and design. This contest is not just about creating stickers; it's about encouraging artistic exploration, fostering a sense of community, and giving teens the opportunity to see their work come to life.
Each year, in celebration of the Amazeum's birthday, we invite teens to draw what they believe represents the essence of the Amazeum. The contest is divided into two categories: one for the younger age range of teens and the other for the older range. The winners from each category have their stickers produced and sold in our museum store, providing a tangible recognition of their artistic achievements.
This year, we are thrilled to spotlight our Teen Sticker Contest winners, Zoe and Joshua, whose exceptional designs captured the spirit of the Amazeum and impressed our judges.
Meet Zoe: A Budding Artist from Don Tyson School of Innovation
Zoe, a 14-year-old student entering the 9th grade at Don Tyson School of Innovation, has been an on-and-off artist since she was eight years old. Her passion for art has grown significantly through her involvement in school, particularly with the encouragement of her librarian, Ms. Dolend.
Recently, Zoe attended an art camp focusing on storytelling through comics and manga, where she honed her skills under the guidance of Didi Penn in Redmond, WA. Zoe's love for graphic design and character creation shines through in her artwork, where she enjoys using silhouettes, gesture poses, and facial expressions to give her characters distinct personalities. She finds inspiration in shape language, using different shapes to evoke various emotions.
Zoe's winning sticker design reflects her fascination with robots, a theme she has explored in previous projects. She utilized a mirror tool for the robot's arms and incorporated lighting effects with airbrushes in Create, resulting in a piece she is incredibly proud of. Zoe enjoyed the collaborative process at the Amazeum, where she worked with Christine to refine her design while staying true to her vision. For Zoe, art is a beautiful and integral part of the human experience, and she believes it should be accessible to everyone.
Joshua's Journey: From Inspired Drawings to Award-Winning Art
Joshua, a 17-year-old student who will graduate with the class of 2025, found his way to the Teen Sticker Contest through his mom, who discovered the event on Facebook. Joshua saw this contest as a fantastic opportunity to showcase his love for drawings. Joshua's early works were inspired by his dad's drawings of snakes, monkeys, elephants, and hippos, sparking a lifelong interest in art.
For his contest entry, Joshua chose to incorporate his love for birds, particularly the mockingbird. His original design featured a side view of the bird's wing. However, after discussing with Christine, the Creative Manager, Joshua was inspired to explore a more dynamic pose. He found a reference pose that captured the natural flight of a mockingbird, adding a new level of creativity to his work. Joshua's final design beautifully encapsulates the spirit of the Amazeum, showcasing elements of our exhibits and the overarching theme of exploring curiosity.
Joshua's dedication to refining his artwork demonstrates his commitment to his craft and his ability to take constructive feedback and use it to enhance his creativity. Working with Christine provided him with new insights and techniques, ultimately leading to a design that he is incredibly proud of.
Why the Teen Sticker Contest is Special
The Teen Sticker Contest at the Amazeum is more than just a competition; it's a celebration of creativity, innovation, and the power of youthful imagination. By providing a platform for young artists like Zoe and Joshua, we encourage them to explore their artistic talents, learn new skills, and gain confidence in their abilities. The contest allows teens to see their designs come to life, fostering a sense of accomplishment and pride.
Moreover, the contest brings together a community of young artists, mentors, and art enthusiasts, creating an environment where creativity can flourish. It's an opportunity for participants to learn from each other, share their experiences, and inspire one another. The collaboration with professional artists like Christine adds an invaluable dimension to the experience, as contestants receive guidance and feedback to refine their designs.
Thank you to Our Young Artists!
We are immensely proud of Zoe and Joshua for their outstanding contributions to this year's Teen Sticker Contest. Their dedication, creativity, and passion for art are truly inspiring. We look forward to seeing more incredible work from these talented young artists in the future. At the Amazeum, we remain committed to nurturing the next generation of creators, innovators, and dreamers, ensuring that art continues to be an integral part of the human experience.
