First Place Art
PETSOULIS: "Today, we are constantly bombarded with images of pain and war. We are continuously reminded of the negativity that exists. We have become so addicted to the concept of a negative world that we have forgotten to see the good. We have forgotten to look for hope. Art is a power that we need to start using to guide people in the direction of hope. It has been a way for us to overcome hardships in the past and artists today need to help offer a solution through creation. If we can take our human gift of creativity and apply it, we can make a difference. We can find a better world through art. Art brings people together, it unifies them. Hopefully, someday, we won't need to look for this better world anymore. Someday, we will have unity. If we can keep creating and using art as our tool, we will find a peace."
Art Winners
SHARROW: "Nationwide, our natural resources are being depleted. Overuse of water and electricity are raising havoc among people's lifestyles and daily needs. Our world will be devastated if we don't start conserving now. The power of art provokes us to recognize problems and idealistically act upon them."
TROOLIN: "Art evokes feeling and inspires action; it pushes people beyond their limits and encourages others to do the same. The people of the Northland do this as well. It is our drive which pushes us to grow and achieve in our lives, but it is also this drive which pushes us to find the true art that exists in this world and let it shine. Thus, while a piece of art showing a scene in nature is inspiring, a portrait of a person of the Northland displays a specific power to which we are all privy, for we all call this region home. In the eyes of a grizzled fisherman, staring deep into a storm, there lies a truth and beauty unbeknownst to many. Similarly, in the eyes of each person of the Northland lies an awe-inspiring power, giving way to the art of the region."
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HAYES: "The human mind is the most powerful mind. Through this piece, I convey the message that we have the ability to create such destruction through things as powerful as the atomic bomb, but we as well have built a language, an alphabet and a sophisticated way of communication. Here art is a creative way to speak to the community and to share our powerful minds with each other."
Photography winners
MONSON: "A picture says a thousand words. An ordinary situation can be made unique by simple alterations and care for the work being dealt with. Evil is relinquished when two friends have each other."
HAATAJA: "When
I think of a subject that is powerful,
I think of horses.
I think that they are beautiful to watch because as they move it seems like I am watching a work of art in motion. ... Another subject that I find to be extremely powerful are eyes; whether it is a cat's eye or a human's eye, they are all powerful in the fact that they allow you to see into the soul of the subject. ... I chose to take a photograph that would allow me to use both of these subjects. So, I took a picture of a horse's eye. The decision allowed me to capture the majesty of the horse and the window to its soul."
MARSHALL: "The picture of this old and broken birdhouse, at first glance, might not seem to be anything important. When you take a closer look, though, there is something that catches your eye. The power of that hidden beauty reminds me of the work my grandpa did in his intricate garden. This picture was taken the summer my grandpa died. He was very ill before then and had trouble keeping up his garden. Even though his garden is now overgrown, you can still find the beauty."
