Sixth Annual
Sanford’s Historic Buildings & Architecture
Student Art Contest - Winners
Press Release – Dec. 7, 2007

The purpose of the art contest is to develop a permanent art library of Sanford’s historic buildings as a way of enriching the community, promoting the city’s history and fostering the development of local art students.  The contest is open to any art student residing in Seminole County.  Entries may be in any medium but the subject matter has to be themed around an historic building within the city limits of Sanford.

Top prizes are: First Place - $100 - $150, 2nd Place - $50 - $100, 3rd Place - $25 - $50.  The higher prize amounts in each category go to the Senior Division.  Entries that receive prize money become property of the Trust.  Other submitted entries are returned to the artist by the end of the school year. A selection of art (25 – 30 pieces) is exhibited at various locations around Seminole County for the rest of the school year.

Over 115 entries were received this year – over 40% more than last year. 

The contest is divided into two divisions: Senior and Junior.  The  Senior Division is for high school & college and Junior Division is for middle school. The separation was necessary both due to the continued growth of the program and the increased level of professionalism of subjects submitted. Again this year the collection was exhibited at the Heathrow Arts Festival where attendees could cast ballots on a “People’s Choice” designation.

Winners were announced Friday, December 7st  at the Helen Stairs Theatre during the “Sights & Sounds of the Season” and in conjunction with Sanford’s numerous Holiday events. 

Senior Division
First Place - Liliana Caldero	Second Place - Ian Nielson
Third Place - Peter Gutierrez	Honorable Mention - Matt Krotenberg
Honorable Mention - Chelsea Roney	Sonja Shoemaker
Junior Division
First Place - Tia Bellaire	Second Place - Jazzper Leonard
Third Place - Ivan Yim	Honorable Mention - Renata Fulginiti
Honorable Mention - David Lee	Honorable Mention - Paula Marzetti
Honorable Mention - Olivia Mayhew

Senior Division:
First Place goes to Liliana Caldero,  a senior at Lake Brantley HS (Ms. Katy Farmer, teacher) for her “East Main St” in acrylic.  The subject is reminiscent of  Robert Kincaid’s backlighting technique.  This piece was also the Senior Division’s “People’s Choice” at Heathrow Arts Festival.
Liliana is currently in Advanced Placement Studio Art. She hopes to go to either the University of Central Florida or The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her motto about art is: “Good art is like your favorite distant relative: very interesting and a little bit loony.” 

Second Place goes to Ian Nielson, a senior at Lake Brantley HS (Ms. Katy Farmer, teacher) for “Bishop Building” a watercolor of the historic building on East First St.  Ian’s interest in art started with a book. In kindergarten, my teacher gave me a book to repay me for my “lovely artistic ability.”  Since that time, I’ve been making artwork for the people around me – my friends, my family, and my teachers. I started drawing dinosaurs and have grown into an artist that tackles even the most daunting assignments with fanaticism. I have passion in my work, and I put forth all my effort into making a piece look complete and appealing.

Third Place goes to Peter Gutierrez -  Lake Brantley High School Senior, Ms Katy Farmer teacher.  His entry was “Specs (Hope)” –J. Mills Home; medium ink/watercolor.  “Of all the things that interest me, art is by far my favorite.  Perhaps the saying, “Art is self-expression” may sound a bit too fancy, but I believe the statement is true.  Through art, my beliefs and emotions are made manifest.  My friends and family always tell me to “keep drawing.”  I don’t plan on stopping any time soon.”

Honorable Mention Senior Division:

Matt Krotenberg - Lake Brantley High School (senior) Ms Katy Farmer, teacher.  His piece was titled “Bricks” (Southside School) in ink and watercolor.  Matt also entered our contest last year and plans to further his studies at an art college to study computer animation.

Chelsea Roney - Lake Brantley High School (senior) Ms Katy Farmer teacher. Her entry was an intricate mixed media rendition “Untitled” of 603 Myrtle – The My Girl House.  Chelsea plays lacrosse for her high school, and coaches middle school girls’ lacrosse. Also a member of the National Art Honor Society, her future plans include college and a career in Architectural Engineering or Drafting.

Sonja Shoemaker - Lake Brantley High School (senior) Mrs. Susan Brown, teacher. Her entry was a photograph titled “Looking In” of the house at 705 Oak Ave. Sonja is passionate about photography and studio art, and plans to attend the University of Central Florida and major in art.

Junior Division:
First Place: Tia Bellaire – a 8th grade home schooler for her acrylic piece “Spring Day” for a yellow bungalow.  Tia has three sisters and her mother tutors them in art. Tia attends NHE Discovery Homeschool Co-op in Sanford in the 8th grade.  She enjoys art, writing, literature, Christian Speech Club and her friends.  Tia is the big sister and best friend to her 3 younger sisters: Mya, Sophie and Sarah.  She loves her pets Tikki (lovebird) and Elizabeth (leopard gecko).

Second Place: Jazzper Leonard – Rosenwald Exceptional Educational Ctr 8th grade (Ms Tracey Wight, teacher) for a pencil/ink titled, “Magnolia Monotype” It is a pencil/ink rendition of the Colonial Revival home at 619 Magnolia, Jazzper was born in Orlando, Fl. but have also lived in Michigan and a few other states.  He is 14 years old and likes to play basketball, video games. He also likes to draw, but lacks time to dedicate to his talent.  Jazzper  thinks he is pretty good artist, which we confirm.  He is good at basketball and video games, hoping to earn a college scholarship in basketball and maybe have more time to keep drawing.

Third Place: Ivan Yim – Markham Woods MS 8th grade (Ms Rebecca Gilmartin, teacher) for an untitled watercolor/collage in the folk art tradition.  Ivan enjoys playing sports, listening to music, and playing piano and guitar. His goal in life is I want to attend a well known medical school such as Johns Hopkins University and become an orthodontist. Art is something he does in his spare time.

Honorable Mention Junior Division:

Renata Fulginiti, Renata is in 7th grade, currently homeschooled through Smith Prep Academy in Longwood. Here entry was an untitled photograph of the Magnolia Square Clock.  She plays lacrosse, and enjoys babysitting, shopping, travel and photography.

David Lee - Heathrow Middle School (8th grade), Rebecca Gilmartin teacher (“People’s Choice” winner in the junior group), his entry was an untitled ink and watercolor of the house on 10th and Park Ave. My name is David Lee. Some hobbies I enjoy doing are drawing, writing, magic, and taekwondo. I want a good career in the future, but I’m still deciding. Art is a possible career choice for me. I really enjoy doing it and its something I’ll never get tired of. I’m thinking of possibly being an architect.

Paula Marzetti Greenwood Lakes (8th grade) Ms. DeeLee Stevens, teacher.  Her entry was titled “Fire House 1887” for the old fire station on Palmetto.  She was born in Venezuela, and immigated to the USA when she was six years old. She is fluent in English and Spanish. She loves to draw and paint during summers. taking an oil painting class in Longwood with Linda Jacobs. Art is my passion and I love everything about it.

Olivia Mayhew submitted a piece in color pencil titled “Valencia for a Mission style house on that street Olivia is a 7th grader with the home school  NHE Discovery Co-op – Ms Sam Bellaire, art teacher.  Alivia is 12 yrs old and her classmates include her sisters, Bethany (15) and Abbey (8).  Olivia has always had a flair for the arts.  She has studied piano for 6 years and was last year’s runner-up in the 6th-8th grade division of the Georgia Music Educators Association State-wide Auditions.  She also studies pointe and lyrical ballet at the Art from the Heart Dance Studio, Orlando, Florida.  This past summer Olivia entered the exciting world of dirt-biking through the NYPUM (pronounced Nip-um) program at her church, Killarney Baptist.  Her parents are Bruce and Julie Mayhew.  

The winning pieces will be on exhibit during December at the Helen Stairs Theatre, in January at the Wachovia Bank in Downtown Sanford, and then at the Casselberry Art House in February and during 2008 at various other locations around the county.

The Sanford Historic Trust thanks Burke, Hogue & Mills Architects of Lake Mary as the sponsor for the third year.  The relationship brings together two organizations interested in recognizing the value and importance of architecture on our culture and history and increasing its awareness in our youth and leaders of tomorrow. It should also be noted that the success of this contest would not be possible without the continued dedication and support of many teachers who motivate and inspire our students – tomorrow’s leaders.