We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part in our inaugural MI Community Youth Art Competition! Youth from Michigan Municipal League member communities shared inspiring, original artwork celebrating what they love most about their city, village, or township and the multiple elements that make it unique.
The response from youth across the state was immense and impressive.
Our winners were selected based on originality and creativity, alignment with the competition theme, artistic skill, and overall design. A panel of League and Foundation staff chose nine winners, and a public vote determined our Community Pride Winner.
Join us in celebrating these talented artists:
Ages 5 - 10 years old
First Place
Aniksha, 8, from Troy, MI
Description: Artwork describes about Troy city and its highlights
Second Place
Anvi, 8, from Troy, MI
Description: My artwork shows my community in different seasons like fall, spring, summer, and winter. I drew people from different cultures, kids playing, and places like the library, park, and community center. These things show that my community is friendly, fun, and welcoming to everyone.
Third Place
Ariel, 9, from Northville, MI
Ages 11 - 14 years old
First Place
Sonja, 11, from Marquette, MI
Description: I painted the ore dock, the lighthouse and the clocktower because these places are beautiful focal points in my hometown. They are backdrops for celebrations and festivals in my community and bring many people from out of town to visit.
Second Place
Zadah, 14, from Mason, MI
Description: My artwork represents my community by highlighting the key elements of Mason, Michigan: the center of our town, the Courthouse; the Mason High School Matching Band; the Ingham County Horse Show, which is located just across the road from the Mason Middle School; and the “Welcome to Mason” sign. I wanted to include the main image of our town, which is the Courthouse, as it comes up in almost every photo that comes up when you search “Mason, Michigan.” I also wanted to include some parts of our community that the public would have to dig deep to find, but are iconic to the residents who live here. The Mason High School Marching Band goes to every Mason High School home football game and participates in parades and competitions against other high school marching bands, while winning awards, consistently winning Division 1 (Superior) in MSBOA festivals, and making many appearances at state competitions. The Ingham County Horse Show I knew I had to include because it has historical attendance reaching up to 50,000 people over the course of fair week. The “Welcome to Mason” sign was without a doubt an element I just had to include in my work. Our town may be small, but as the saying goes, it’s “an oldie but a goodie.” Our town was founded in 1836, and I didn’t have any room to include some old photos of our town. I used the “Welcome to Mason” sign because it shows that our town has been around for quite some time, and it also introduces our community in the artwork. I wish I could have included more about our wonderful community, but my canvas was not on my side space-wise! I hope you enjoy Mason, Michigan put in paint!
Third Place
Annika, 11, from Marquette, MI
Description: My artwork spotlights important landmarks in Marquette, Michigan. These places are historical and have been bringing people together for many years along the beautiful shoreline in my community.
Ages 15 - 18 years old
First Place
Lauren, 15, from Northville, MI
Description: My favorite time of year is October in Northville. From the “Skeletons Alive” festival placing dressed skeletons on every storefront, to the hundreds of ladies dressed as witches for the costume contest. The best decoration of them all is the giant pumpkin placed directly upon the Dancing Eye Gallery. It captures everyone eye as they stop to stare and take photos. The pumpkin is placed directly in the center of town in the middle of it all. My friends and I love to walk around with fresh donuts from the local bakery and apple cider to warm our hands. The air is crisp and everyone is grinning. I love October because the community comes together for all the spooky festivities. The town is united together just as the sun comes down behind the giant glowing pumpkin.
Second Place
Angel, 16, from Kalamazoo, MI
Description: I made an illustration of Arcadia Creek, in downtown Kalamazoo. I made the illustration with watercolor and pen. Many people like to go there to enjoy festivals, concerts, and to just have fun with family and friends! The creek brings people together and strengthens the community.
Third Place
Madison, 18, from Lake Orion, MI
Description: I live in Lake Orion and have since the 4th grade, I moved around a bit in my younger years, but Lake Orion has always truly been home to me even if I was in a different house or school. Something that I love to do in Lake Orion is enjoy Gods creation by looking at the beautiful outdoors and going on walks everyday. The Lakes water is always glistening and accentuating the greens of the trees. I wanted to incorporate that in my painting, the beautiful natural aspects that make Lake Orion what it is, with the beautiful eastern red bush in the front and the lake in the background. What I also love about lake Orion is the downtown, specifically the park, it’s such an amazing way to gather into community and bump into people you know! Seeing all the families enjoying the outdoors together and seeing all different people being brought into one space is something I love in Lake Orion. So in the background, I wanted to paint downtown Lake Orion’s park, especially accentuating the gazebo. Lastly the Robin being not only Michigan’s state bird but a bird I see gliding through the sky frequently in my neighborhood, the robin has easily been one of my favorite animals. It’s bright orange belly shows the vibrancy not only of the town but of the birds very nature. Everything in Lake Orion is deeply loved by me due to its intricate detailing, community, and natural aspects. I attempted to capture all those things in my painting.
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