MEMPHIS, Tenn. (May 10, 2024) – Memphis International Airport (MEM) has announced the winners of its 17th annual High School Visual Arts & Photography Competition. This year’s winners are as follows:
Paintings
1st – “The Memphis Flash” by Kimberly Nguyen, Collierville High School
2nd – “Blacklight” by Alyssia Pope, The Collegiate School of Memphis
3rd (tie) – “One Night Only” by Grace Lawson, Arlington High School
3rd (tie) – “Beauty Hidden in Memphis” by Wendy Maulion, Collierville High School
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- The Memphis Flash – Kimberly Nguyen, Collierville High School
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- Blacklight – Alyssia Pope, Collegiate School Of Memphis
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- One Night Only… – Grace Lawson, Arlington High School
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- Beauty Hidden in Memphis – Wendy Maulion, Collierville High School
Photographs
1st – “The Last Stay” by Luke Anderson, Bartlett High School
2nd – “The Tastee Donut” by Dylan Lane, Christian Brothers High School
3rd – “A Corner of History” by Jack Ford, Christian Brothers High School
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- The Last Stay – Luke Anderson, Bartlett High School
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- The Tastee Donut – Dylan Lane, Christian Brothers High School
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- A Corner of History – Jack Ford, Christian Brothers High School
The winners were selected by a panel of judges from the local art community, including representatives from the University of Memphis, UrbanArt Commission, Orpheum Theater, Dorothy Northern Studio, The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change, Dixon Gallery and Gardens and Steve Austell Photography. There were eight judges this year. The airport received 120 submissions for the art contest with 45 selected as finalists. There were 70 photography submissions, from which 45 finalists were chosen. A video for the contest and awards ceremony is being produced by CityCURRENT and is scheduled to air on WKNO this summer.
“We’re proud to provide opportunities to the Greater Memphis community’s youth to showcase their creativity and talents,” said Terry Blue, President and CEO of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority. “We are thrilled to continue Arts in the Airport program and support this initiative, aiming to inspire and celebrate young artists in our community.”
Students are provided art supplies by the airport’s community foundation for the contest, and the finalists’ pieces are displayed throughout the airport for one year. Most pieces are available for purchase by the public, and all proceeds go directly to the student artist. Some airport retailers may also sell items that feature students’ artwork, with proceeds from those sales going to help purchase art supplies for the contest. Over the next few weeks, the 2024 finalist paintings and photographs will be installed in the baggage claim area and will remain on display for one year.
Online galleries can be found below:
Paintings: https://flymemphis.com/arts-in-the-airport-2024-paintings/
Photography: https://flymemphis.com/arts-in-the-airport-2024-photos/