MEMPHIS, Tenn. (May 12, 2025) – Memphis International Airport (MEM) has announced the winners of its 18th annual High School Visual Arts & Photography Competition. This year’s winners are as follows:
Paintings
- 1st Place – TIE: “Rock N Soul: The Complete Memphis Music Story!” by Rosie Deng, Collierville High School
- 1st Place – TIE: “Blues and Bridges: The Sound of Memphis” Liliana Khodor, Ridgeway High School
- 2nd Place: “Memphis Blues” by Anthony Smith, Kirby High School
- 3rd Place: “Beale Blues” by Kamsi Azogini, Collierville High School
Photographs
- 1st Place: “Timeless Memphis: A City of Black & White” by Reyma Odetallah, Bartlett High School
- 2nd Place: “Building Hope” by Meiya Rollins, Arlington High School
- 3rd Place: “Stax Records” by Will Hargrave, 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, Orpheum Theater, Dorothy Northern Studio, The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change, Dixon Gallery and Gardens and Steve Austell Photography. There were six judges this year. The airport received 79 submissions for the art contest with 49 selected as finalists. There were 80 photography submissions, of which 46 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 excited to once again showcase the incredible artistic talent of students in our community,” said Terry Blue, President and CEO of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority. “With nearly five million people passing through MEM each year, this contest provides students with an incredible opportunity to showcase their artwork and photography.”
Students are provided art supplies by the airport’s community foundation for the contest, and the finalists’ pieces are displayed in 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. In June, the 2025 finalist paintings will be installed in the baggage claim area, while the photographs will be installed in the B ticketing lobby. They will remain on display for one year. Online galleries can be found below:
Paintings: https://flymemphis.com/arts-in-the-airport-2025-paintings/
Photography: https://flymemphis.com/arts-in-the-airport-2025-photography/