Twelve Illinois students who explored what America means as it celebrates its 250th birthday were named winners in the annual art contest sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Illinois State Board of Education.
Their entries took viewers from the Statue of Liberty to a stretch of desert highway. They celebrated America with eagles, a locomotive, Abraham Lincoln and more. The theme of the contest was “America 250: Reflections through Art.”
The top entries in four age groups were from Anastasia Hiotis, 6; Maya Gawtowski, 11; Penelope Oertel, 12, and Tyler Skelley, 16. They will be displayed at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, alongside eight runners-up.
Christina Shutt, executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, thanked all the students who entered for sharing their artistic vision.
“These young artists have produced vibrant work that captures the energy and ideals of America,” Shutt said. “We are proud to display the winning pieces at the museum so visitors from across America can appreciate them.”
“Art gives students a powerful way to explore big ideas,” said State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders. "Through this contest, Illinois students reflected on what America’s 250th anniversary means to them while expressing their creativity and connecting classroom learning to the broader story of our nation. Congratulations to this year’s winners, and thank you for sharing your creativity and perspective as we mark this important milestone.
Hiotis, who is in first grade at Highlands Elementary School in LaGrange, won in the K-2 category. Hiotis said, “The Statue of liberty is very important because it stands for freedom, hope, and being fair. It shows that art can be very powerful, even more than words.”
Gawtowski, a fifth-grader from James Giles School in Norridge, had the top entry in the category for grades 3-5. “I used symbols such as the Declaration of Independence, an eagle, and handcuffs. These symbols represent all of America’s symbols, such as liberty and slavery. I chose these symbols to show America’s progress,” Gawtowski said.
Oertel, a seventh-grader, won in the grades 6-8 category with a piece full of small nods to big concepts. For instance, a black hat calls to mind a certain president. “This piece of artwork that I created represents how Abraham Lincoln helped shape this wonderful country. Since he was from Illinois it makes it extra special to be from and live here,” said the student at Springfield Christian School.
Skelley, who is in the 11th grade, had the top entry for grades 9-12. A student at Decatur Christian School, Skelley said, “This piece, made with marker and colored pencil, explores the idea of horsepower throughout the years not only as a mechanical force, but as the driving spirit behind the nation’s growth.”
The runners-up were
- K-2: Patricia Garcia from St. Hubert Catholic School and Aria Quizon of Westchester Primary School.
- Grades 3-5: Avni Nayani from Iles Elementary School and Abdullah Serir from Charter Oak, Peoria Public Schools.
- Grades 6-8: Kyli Barrios from James Giles School and Armani Robertson from Lincoln Elementary #156.
- Grades 9-12: Amelia Drews from Springfield High School and Alaina Karban from Althoff Catholic High School.
More art and statements from the students can be found here.
The mission of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is to inspire civic engagement through the diverse lens of Illinois history and to share with the world the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. We pursue this mission through a combination of rigorous scholarship and high-tech showmanship built on the bedrock of the ALPLM’s unparalleled collection of historical materials – roughly 13 million items from all eras of Illinois history.
The mission of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is to provide every child with safe and healthy learning conditions, great educators and equitable opportunities by practicing data-informed stewardship of resources and policy development, all done in partnership with educators, families and stakeholders. The vision of the ISBE is that all children are equipped to make meaningful contributions to society and live life to its fullest potential.