By Kathy Collins
Center Place held the 3rd Annual Little Monsters Create Children’s Art Show and celebrated with the creativity of the artists with an Artists’ Reception on Thursday, July 23. The multimedia show featured drawings, paintings, photographs, and more created by children ages 4 to 13.
The judge for the show was Dianna Galia, a commercial artist, a comic strip creator, a children’s illustrator, an Art Instructor for Center Place Art and a first grade teacher. Dianna Galia said, “This was an extremely difficult show to judge this year due to the caliber of the art.”
There were three age groups. The first place winner for the 4 to 6 age group was Giovanni Santiago with “Ninja Turtle.” The Judge said, “Giovanni’s use of bright colors on a black background made his image shine! Great job!”
Saige Walker took second place; Sritanvi Ananya Vinjamuri took third place and Brennan Osterberger was awarded honorable mention.
In the 7 to 9 age group, the first place winner was Christyan Chazares with “Hidden River.” Dianna Galia said, “Christyan portrayed a beautiful autumn forest, using bright colors. He did a great job of blending and layering.”
The remaining winners in this category included, Meera Nair (second place): Gracen Hansen (third place); and Rachel Hoge and Savannah Stone (honorable mention).
The first place winner in the 10 to 13 age group was Kate Tumlin with “The Grass Is Always Greener.” Dianna Galia said, “Kate’s piece is bright and cheery and it is a great piece to possibly create her own comic strip. Watercolor is not easy, and she did a great job!”
The winners in this group also included Abigail Carpenter (second place); Emily Ellison (third place); and Kendall Foran and Johnny Schembri (honorable mention).
The Center Place Award went to Aubrey Walker for “Difference Is A Wonderful Thing.” Dianna Galia said of the piece, “What a beautiful message, not only is everyone different, but every artist has a different style too. This piece would make a great commercial art piece, and what great signature on her artwork!”
Best of Show was awarded to Izzy Carpenter for “The Cuties.” Carpenter is only seven years old! Dianna Galia said of her fabulous work, “Izzy’s impressionistic artist style is very mature for a young artist. Her colorful composition is amazing! Excellent job!”
Carpenter, who lives in Brandon with her art teacher parents and will be in the second grade at Kingswood Elementary said, “I was surprised and very happy to win.”
Dawn Galia, Executive Director for Center Place said, “We had a great turnout of super talented artists this year.” 33 children from the area each submitted up to three pieces for this year’s show which is celebration of art in the community. Dawn Galia added, “I love this event because it is filled with children and their wonderful art.” The Little Monsters Create Annual Children’s Art Show is a community art show. Children do not have to take classes at Center Place in order to enter the show.
Everyone who participated received a certificate of participation.
Center Place of Brandon offers a great array of art classes for youth, teens and adults. If you have ever considered taking an art class, check out their schedule of upcoming classes at www.centerplacebrandon.org or call 685-8888.
Center Place is located at 619 Vonderburg Dr. in Brandon.
For more information and to see photos of the artwork, please visit www.centerplacebrandon.org.
