MEMPHIS, Tenn. (May 7, 2025) – Memphis International Airport (MEM) has announced the winners of its 19th annual High School Visual Arts & Photography Competition. This year’s winners are as follows:
Paintings
- 1st Place: “Tiger Pride” by Karley Hicks of Arlington High School
- 2nd Place: “Rock, Roll, and Roar” by Savannah Stone of Collierville High School
- 3rd Place: “Sunset of Colors” by Henry Hoang of Collierville High School
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- “Tiger Pride” by Karley Hicks of Arlington High School
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- “Rock, Roll, and Roar” by Savannah Stone of Collierville High School
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- “Sunset of Colors” by Henry Hoang of Collierville High School
Photographs
- 1st Place: “Washed Dreams” by Aubrey Hersey of Bartlett High School
- 2nd Place: “Power in Snow” by Will Fogerty of Christian Brothers High School
- 3rd Place: “The Human Race” by Elliott Shah of Christian Brothers High School
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- “Washed Dreams” by Aubrey Hersey of Bartlett High School
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- “Power in Snow” by Will Fogerty of Christian Brothers High School
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- “The Human Race” by Elliott Shah of 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 a record number of submissions this year, with 112 submissions for the art contest with 75 selected as finalists. There were 121 photography submissions, of which 38 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.
“It’s always a joy to celebrate the artistic talents of the students in our community, and this year we had more entries than ever before,” said Terry Blue, President and CEO of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority. “There are nearly five million people that travel through MEM this year and these paintings and artwork will be on display for them at MEM, showcasing our community.”
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: