Competition brief: In a world that faces many challenges, from environmental crisis to social divides, art can be a device of healing and transformation. This competition invites artists to explore the aspects of reparative and regenerative qualities in art. What is reparative, how can we mend what has been broken, and how can we foster growth and repair within ourselves, communities, and environments?

Students were asked to write an artist statement with their entry that communicates how their artwork relates to the theme.

Criteria to consider: Interpretation of the theme, technical skill, and originality (all artwork must be original ideas and created entirely by the students; no artwork depicting characters from TV shows, movies, video games or books will be accepted).

Lower Grade Entries

BFF Worlds
Iris Yang, Grade 4
Medium: Watercolor

Statement: This piece of artwork is showing when two BFF’s move to different places (California and NYC). Little images compare the two friends and their lives and California vs. NYC.

The Shower of the Earth
Emily W, Grade 5
Medium: Colored pencils

Statement: This connects to the theme because it is rebuilding the dry earth by showering it with a shower head.

No Title Provided
Albert Huan, Grade 5
Medium: Not specified

Statement: No statement provided.

From Sorrow to a Brighter Future
Natalie Chen, Grade 3
Medium: Acrylic marker and Watercolor

Statement: In this artwork, an old piano rest peacefully in a blooming field by the water, no longer making music through life itself. Birds have built a nest inside it, animals gather around it, and wildflowers grow freely. What was once manmade and silent is not part of nature’s symphony. This piece reflects how beauty and purpose can be renewed in unexpected ways— how time, care, and the natural world can bring healing, harmony, and new beginnings.

From Sorrow to a Brighter Future
Joanne Oh, Grade 1
Medium: Watercolor and Colored pencils

Statement: My artwork was inspired by a piece from 9/11, placed in our local park. It comes from the remains of the World Trade Center. To me, this piece connects the sadness of that day with the hope shown in the new tower. My artwork shows how art can carry both pain and healing. It honors those we lost while also looking forward. This piece reminds us that by remembering together and rebuilding with care, we can find beauty and strength again. Even after great loss, something strong and meaningful can rise and bring people closer as a community.

The Choice
Kaio Timbers-Bomfim, Grade 4
Medium: Acrylic and watercolor on paper

Statement: When I think of regeneration, I think of fixing things that are broken. I think of the work to bring peace after World War I and World War II. The fighting of the wars was destructive and did not make anyone happy. It only hurt people. My painting shows the weapons of war being turned into a field of flowers. It brings us hope that even in the hardest times, there will be a time of peace. My artwork was a process. I made three different pieces and combined them in a collage.

On My Bike
Luka Timbers-Bomfim, Grade 2
Medium: Acrylic on paper

Statement: In my painting, a child on a bicycle pedals away from the dark red of war and destruction towards the bright colors of freedom, happiness, and peace. When I ride my bike, I feel happy and free and I think those feelings are so strong that if we all experience them together, we can overcome bad or hurt feelings and be a part of repairing or regeneration after a war or other bad event. I created swirls and textures in the colors by using my paintbrush in different ways.

Within the Water
Sophie Shuyan Chen, Grade 5
Medium: Oil painting

Statement: My oil painting, titled "Within the Water", represents the way we improve the environment. The elegant betta fish symbolizes the beauty of the natural world. It faces water's surface, curiously observing the trash and boat. The trash on the left symbolizes the impact humans have on the environment. Together, they create a sense of juxtaposition. Additionally, the water cleaning boat displays how society and positively affect nature if humans do their best to help. Hopefully, somewhere in the near future, the loads of pollution throughout our waters will disappear because of our hard work, leaving a thriving marine life.

Where There is Earth There is Sun
Tobi Blaska Diu, Grade 5
Medium: Acrylics, watercolor, pastel pencils

Statement: This drawing represents the connection between the Earth and the Sun. This artwork is not just a drawing, it’s also a poem about the balance between two subjects: “Where there is dark there is light, where there is yin there is yang, where there is water there is fire, where there is cold there is hot, where there is sadness there is happiness, where there is hate there is LOVE.”

Sprout of Renewal
Gabrielle Huang, Grade 4
Medium: Crayon and watercolor pencil

Statement: The picture’s elements: plant in a pot, hearts, paw prints, fox, butterflies, mushrooms, stars, moon, and peace signs weave in the theme of “Reparative & Regenerative”. A poem for the picture. A pot of gold, a sprout takes flight. Green tendrils mend the fading light. Hearts of pink, softly bloom, repairing wounds beneath the moon. Paws and foxes tread the earth. Regenerating life, a quiet rebirth. Butterflies dance, their colors mend. Broken skies where peace extends. Mushrooms whisper, roots entwine. Healing soil, the old divine. Stars and peace signs guard the way. A world renewed at break of day.

We Love the Earth
Melissa Wu, Grade 4
Medium: Digital

Statement: My artwork showcases that when people work together (represented by different individuals holding hands), there can be peace and love in the world, regardless of their race or gender. You can also see that there are trees above their heads, which shows that working together can make a huge difference in the world. People not only respect themselves and each other, but the Earth too. The people are also above the Earth because they are hugging the Earth together, and that shows that we need to take care of the planet we love and live on.

Doing Good Things to Bring Hope
Xinyue Yang, Grade 3
Medium: Pen, colored pencils, markers

Statement: My brother and I want to protect the earth together, repair our living environment of humans and animals. We have many things to do. For example: 1. No longer use fishing nets to catch fish. 2. Protect and treat animals. 3. Turn off the water when not in use and tightly close the faucet. 4. Do not cut down trees. 5. Don’t use plastic bags when shopping in markets, use recycling bags. 6. Protect the ocean and refrain from littering. 7. Planting trees. 8. Beautiful life with music and art.

Rise of Renewal:Robots Rebuilding the City
Aaron Sun, Grade 3
Medium: Colored pencils

Statement: What I drew is a city that has been damaged. The AI-robots and drones are repairing the damaged buildings and infrastructures, which is regeneration. They help people to rebuild their lives and communities after disasters much more quickly and safely.

Reparative and Regenerative
Angela Lyu, Grade 3
Medium: Mixed media

Statement: The artwork, Reparative and Regenerative, captures the essence of renewal and resilience. It tells the story of a young girl who discovers a tree destroyed by fire. Instead of mourning, she salvages the unburned wood and brings it home. With patience and determination, she repurposes it, replacing her broken desk with a stronger, more refined one. This transformation conveys a powerful message: even after destruction, new beginnings can emerge—stronger and more resilient than before.

Jester Regenerated the World
Edward Li, Kindergarten
Medium: Paint

Statement: One day, a sad jester stood on a wobbly, colorful bridge. Everything around him was broken—mountains were upside down, socks were lost, and pieces of the world were all mixed up! But the magic clock in the middle went tick-tock, and something amazing happened. The broken things started fixing themselves! Flowers grew, mountains stood tall again, and even a tiny frog appeared! The jester found a little giggle hiding in his pocket, threw it into the air, and—POOF!—colors sparkled everywhere. His frown turned into a big, silly smile. The world wasn’t broken anymore—it was growing back even better!

Whale Fall
Grace Ma, Grade 1
Medium: Watercolor and crayons

Statement: Whales are the largest and one of the longest-living animals on earth. They are born in the sea, grow in the sea, nourish the sea and eventually die at sea. When a whale falls, everything grows. The death of a whale is transformed into a long-term source of nutrients in the deep sea, contributing to the diversity of life and spurs renewal of the ocean ecosystem. Life is fleeting, the spirit endures. In a world full of challenges, the spiritual legacy passed from generation to generation will help heal what's broken, creating a cycle of continual regeneration and renewal.

Plant to Sustain
Chloe Sun, Kindergarten
Medium: Markers and crayons

Statement: I drew this because I want to show people cutting down trees to build things. But I want to remind everyone that we need to plant more trees so birds can have new homes, and we can have fresh air to breath!

Be Kind to Our Earth: The Path to Regeneration
Julia Hu, Grade 3
Medium: Markers & crayons

Statement: This artwork illustrates a stark contrast between destruction and renewal, urging us to repair and regenerate our planet. On the left, pollution, deforestation, and human suffering depict the consequences of environmental neglect. On the right, clean energy, greenery, and joyful communities embody hope and healing. A DNA strand weaves through the center, symbolizing our responsibility to nurture life. The message “Be Kind to Earth” reminds us that small acts of kindness toward nature and each other can restore balance. Through vibrant colors and striking imagery, this piece envisions a future where care and innovation create a thriving, sustainable world.

Emoji Factory
Kevin Li, Grade 2
Medium: Acrylic paint

Statement: My painting is about a big Emoji factory! The machines make all kinds of Emoji—happy, silly, and even grumpy ones. When old Emoji get tired, they go back into the machine to be made new again. I used lots of colors to show how fun and busy the factory is. There are pipes, buttons, and robot arms working hard. I like thinking about where Emoji come from, so I made my own Emoji world!

The Boy and the Bicycle
Nathan Wang, Grade 2
Medium: Markers

Statement: The picture shows that the boy fell of his bike. The boy was riding his bike while holding his pet duck, and they both fell after running over a rock. They got hurt after. Then the boy fixed the bike and put a bandaid on.

Make the World Back to Life
William Lin, Grade 3
Medium: Mixed media

Statement: In the past, people destroyed forests, built factories and polluted the environment for their own benefit. Makes the earth seem lifeless. We should protect the earth while using the earth’s resources. To regenerate the earth’s resources. We can plant more trees and make good use of the land. This will allow the earth to be repaired and brought back to life.

The Power of Warmth
Yujing Chen, Grade 4
Medium: Watercolor

Statement: The girl sits in a dark room where the lights have lost their energy. She transforms her own warmth into a flowing river, filling the room with brightness. In a reparative act, she illuminates herself and allows warmth to spread.

The Power of Warmth
Weiya Zhou, Grade 7
Medium: Acrylic

Statement: Everyone has different sides to themselves. The way we present ourselves in daily life may differ from how we are when alone. Learning to accept our imperfections and embrace our multifaceted nature is the key to a more positive approach to life.

Restoration and Rebirth
Queenie Li, Grade 5
Medium: Markers, pastels, and pen

Statement: The theme of this work is “restoration and rebirth.” Due to human pollution and destruction, our natural environment has been seriously damaged. The discharge of all kinds of waste gas and sewage and the endless falling of trees have scarred the earth where we live. Through drawing, I want to make people more aware of environmental pollution and make efforts to protect our environment. With everyone’s efforts, our environment is getting better and better. The earth we live on has become vibrant again.

Repair and Regeneration
Li Chen Xi, Grade 5
Medium: Drawing paper & marker

Statement: In this artwork, jellyfish with vivid colors and sprawling tree branches intermingle with urban scenes. It symbolizes the power of nature's restoration. Amidst the city, they signify the process of repair and regeneration, hinting at a harmonious future where nature and urban life coexist.

Repair Time
Yuehan Hua, Grade 6
Medium: Drawing paper & marker

Statement: No matter how harsh the reality is, you’re the only light.

Wings of Harmony
Peng Yuexin, Grade not specified
Medium: Drawing paper & marker

Statement: This imaginative artwork by a sixth-grade student masterfully balances warm and cool colors to celebrate nature’s wonders. The left bursts with fiery orange energy, featuring a bold eagle soaring through swirling patterns of leaves and hidden creatures. The right shimmers in cool blues, showcasing a majestic peacock with rainbow-hued feathers unfolding like a living kaleidoscope. Between them flows a sparkling river where jumping fish create ripples that magically connect both worlds. Filled with playful details like camouflaged butterflies and curious forest animals peeking through foliage, the painting radiates youthful creativity while symbolizing nature’s beautiful balance through its clever color contrast and harmonious composition.

A Journey of Healing
Alexander Xiong, Grade Kindergarten
Medium: Not specified

Statement: My picture shows a kid who was very sick and almost died, but the doctors and nurses worked together to save him. After getting better, he goes back to playing and having fun with his friends. I drew this picture because my mom is a nurse and helps people heal. I wanted to show that even when things seem bad, with love, care, and teamwork, people can get better. My drawing is about fixing what’s broken and bringing life and joy back again.

Hope Built on Ruins
Jason Yang, Grade 1
Medium: Paint and colored pencils

Statement: This painting illustrates a scene of active construction and rebuilding, capturing the spirit of a reparative and regenerative process. It symbolizes the collective effort of a community to restore and improve its environment through labor, cooperation, and resourcefulness. From the depiction of workers carrying bricks to machinery in motion and a tree standing tall, the image highlights a balance between human development and environmental awareness. The presence of natural materials like logs and the integration of greenery suggest a regenerative approach that not only repairs the past but also builds a sustainable future.

Mangroove Forest
Alberta Zhang, Grade 5
Medium: Markers and oil pastels

Statement: My artwork depicts a mangrove forest, hills, and a river, illustrating the theme that communities can rebuild and create something better than before. Using markers and oil pastels on two canvases, taped together to show regeneration. I aimed to show how broken things can be repaired. The mangrove forest, once barren, was restored by planting trees, which attracted new life. This symbolizes that if nature can heal, people can heal too.

Mangroove Forest
Colter Burgette, Grade 1
Medium: Photography

Statement: “Ansel said it looks like the mom has to flee. Ansel likes the book because she’s named after Ansel Adams, and Ansel Adams took the pictures. Also, I like the pictures because Ansel likes the pictures. I would have not known about this if Ansel Adams didn’t take the picture. I learned that lots of people had to flee from their village to survive. The photos help me feel better.” - Colter Burgette, 6 years-old, who took this picture of his 8 year-old sister, Ansel Burgette.

Tree in the Midst of Pollution
Jayden Sun Zhang, Grade 5
Medium: Textured paper, markers

Statement: The tree represents how growth and hope are still possible, even when we’re facing a dire situation. Despite the continuous harm we cause to the environment through littering, pollution, and the use of harmful substances, I believe it’s not too late to make a change. If we work together to reduce pollution and protect nature, we can begin to heal the planet and create a cleaner, healthier world for future generations.

Pencils of Nature: Coloring the World with Recycled Wood
Gabriel Sun, Grade 3
Medium: Acrylic

Statement: This is my painting, and I want to express that if we use recycled wood to make pencils, we can create a colorful world. The trees that look like pencils are made from reused wood, turning them into drawing tools. With these eco-friendly pencils, we can draw flying birds, colorful flowers, and magical trees, protecting nature while making our world more beautiful!

The Earth is Not a Dumpster
Aleksi Ollikainen, Grade 5
Medium: Acrylic paint on canvas

Statement: If you go deep inside of earth, or in a city, you may encounter a plastic straw or two. Maybe even some plastic bottles. In my painting, there are citizens' arms extracting plastic from the beautiful planet. Please use less plastic and remember to reuse or recycle more.

Hopefully someday the plastic straws and bottles or any other plastic products will not be anywhere on our peaceful planet. This is like a battle between peace and nature against plastic, littering, and pollution.

Hope and Redemption
Yuze Xi (Simon), Grade 5
Medium: Acrylic

Statement: The painting conveys a powerful message about hope and redemption for our planet. The lower section illustrates the negative consequences of our actions—exhausted resources, polluted air, and the aftermath of overconsumption. In contrast, the upper part of the painting depicts a brighter future where we can restore the environment, showcasing clean air, thriving trees, and vibrant wildlife. It serves as a reminder that it’s not too late to make positive changes and heal the Earth.

Repair Together, Fly Forever
Elizabeth Liu, Kindergarten
Medium: Crayon,Colored Pencil, Marker

Statement: In my picture, two kids are fixing a broken rocket with recycled pieces to help clean up space. We don’t throw old things away — we reuse them to make something better! The recycle signs show that even trash can become useful again. One kid is wearing a space suit, the other is helping with tools — they are different but working together as a team. This shows that no matter who we are, we can help repair the world. By reusing, cleaning up, and helping each other, we can make our Earth — and even space — a better place!

The Future City
Max Kong, Grade 2
Medium: Crayon, Colored Pencil, Marker

Statement: This artwork shows us an astronaut’s life in the Future City. There were plants to make the island beautiful and to take in carbon dioxide and give back oxygen. There were buildings with giant solar panels to make electricity. There were also wind turbines to make clean power. I hope you can imagine what the Future City looks like! And you could build the city by using your imagination! I love the Future City!

A Bronze’s Life
Amelia Song, Grade 5
Medium: Crayon, Colored Pencil, Marker

Statement: The cool wind bristled the bronze face. A reparative sight it seems. The bronze face thought of its past, being repaired over and over again. Up a wall, then came plummeting down. Years of perfection…gone. The bird fluttered down to cheer it up, sitting on a “soon-to-be-blossomed” bud. Trying to help it regenerate its life once again. With LEDs show little fireflies fluttering around and the wires represent thoughts flowing around for a new journey. The gold leaf and the “green-ness” of the bronze represent the cycle, golden bronze to green and a hint of chemicals, back to bronze.

Rise from the Ashes
Edwin Thai, Grade 5
Medium: Acrylic

Statement: When we are experiencing some difficulties and hardship, we should alway remember that they are meant to make you grow stronger. Hardship can hit in many forms, but never destroy the strong mind. Moving through tough times in ways that builds resilience and strength, we can find hope and healing.

Rise from the Ashes
Simiao Zhang, Grade 4
Medium: Not specified

Statement: My work shows a tree being naturally knocked down and the being repaired into bird houses. I thought of this idea because spring is when most birds lay eggs and sometimes birds can their nests in trees and then the tree is cut down or falls over.

Rise from the Ashes
Avery Qiu, Grade 4
Medium: Pencil and watercolor

Statement: My drawing is about a bird who got tangled in thorny vines and got hurt. A person saw the bird and helped if recover with care. After that, the bird flew away happily.

Rebuild, Resume, and Restore
Wilson Qian, Grade 4
Medium: Acrylic, Maker, Sharpie

Statement: On one side, factories are producing smoke, and on the other side, there are mountains, trees, people, and a clean river. If we don’t keep the community clean, factories are going to produce more smoke and more trees are going to be chopped down. The watering can is like a superpower — to clean the air so that people can breathe fresher air and live healthier and more sustainably. Let’s work together to rebuild, resume, and restore a better place to live.

Stairs of Progress
Yutong Tina Zhao, Grade 4
Medium: Acrylic Paint

Statement: We can fix humanity one step at a time. As you climb slowly, you help heal the Earth and humanity. At the bottom, a sad person represents a burning earth and loneliness. As you continue your climb, you see people replanting trees together. Then, you see a person watering the trees as they grow. At last, the top is covered in green grass, the trees and people are thriving. At the very top, you see a happy person representing a heathy Earth, showing sucess in transforming the planet.

Student
Luke Yi Chen, Grade 1
Medium: Canvas

Statement: This illustration celebrates the beauty of repurposing discarded materials. A worn-out boot, patched many times before being retired, now cradles thriving plants. Broken vases, a cracked flower pot, and even nutrient-rich eggshells are reborn, nourishing life instead of becoming waste. A recycle bin supports a magnificent cherry blossom tree, symbolizing years of growth and care. Cheerful rabbits roam freely, unafraid, embraced by a garden nurtured with love and respect for nature. Born from human castoffs and imperfection, this garden reflects a poignant truth: nature cannot choose where it grows—it endures, flourishes, and coexists with the remnants of our modern world.

Our Beautiful Earth
Brandon Lin, Grade 5
Medium: Regular Paper

Statement: I tried to make this artwork feel like a small part of the Earth with no pollution. There are many people taking care of the environment and enjoying it without polluting the things around them.

Respect Your Mother (Earth)
Chloe Chun-Lei Madsen, Grade 4
Medium: Acrylic Paint, Elmer’s clear glue

Statement: I chose the theme of climate change because I think it is important. I think helping with climate change is important because if we don't do anything about it, then our Mother (Earth) will have urgent consequences, including higher temperatures, extreme weather events, and impacts on animals. The materials that I used are acrylic paint, Elmer's clear glue, markers, cardboard, pencils, oil pastels, and acrylic markers. I put the Earth in the middle because that is the main idea. It is crying because it is losing water and it's hurt.

Colors of Chaos and Hope
Wesley Qiao, Grade 4
Medium: Watercolor powder and marker

Statement: The rainbow covers the giant war. It’s scary, but we can smile again with colors and art! The flowers are happy and my friends are here. I hope peace comes!

Left and Right, Together
Oscar Bao, Grade 3
Medium: Watercolor powder and marker

Statement: Sometimes people fight about left and right. But I think both sides can live in the same world like yin and yang.

Roots of Hope
Miro Cheng, Grade 3
Medium: Watercolor pencils and pencil

Statement: Even if the ground is broken, the tree still grows. The flowers come out from dark places. I believe nature is strong.

We Hold the Future
Sophia Chen, Grade 5
Medium: Watercolor

Statement: Our hands are holding Earth. One side is dark and the other is bright. We can choose to care and make the world happy again.

Fixing the Past
Daniel Chen, Grade 7
Medium: Watercolor powder and marker

Statement: I imagine healing broken people with care and study. The cracks don’t mean the end. We can learn and help others feel whole again.

Falling Star
Sophia Liu, Grade 7
Medium: Watercolor

Statement: The starfish is falling from the city into a dirty ocean. I want people to stop hurting nature before everything beautiful is lost.

Key to the Heart
Victoria Liu, Grade 4
Medium: Watercolor

Statement: Love can unlock a broken heart. If we share kindness and care, the world will be a better place. That’s what I want to do.

Key to the Heart
Audrey Lupitskyy, Grade 2
Medium: Crayon, Watercolor on paper

Statement: It breaks my heart to see injured animals. I hope every animal gets a second chance to be healthy and loved.

Have Awareness
Elliot Hollowell, Grade 7
Medium: Pencil, pen, and watercolor

Statement: I’ve made this piece to spread awareness. To let people know that they can help keep America a good place for everyone. The American dream is fading but not gone. I have hope that people can hear out everyone’s opinion, even if they are from a separate policy party, economic position, or cultural background. We are too caught up in immediate hate for people we don’t know just because of their background and opinions. Everyone should be more open minded in this endless fight. That’s my help for America and my hope that I’m attempting to spread with this piece.

Upper Grade Entries

Political Radicalism
Davin Brooks, Grade not specified
Medium: Ceramic, yarn, wood, stuffing

Statement: I used the story of the Wolf and the sheep to show how radical political views cannot only negatively affect the opposite political side, but even their own. The tags represent different political views. I am illustrating harm by using the elephant to represent a radical, and I am using the sheep, which are placed together with different views, to show we can coexist in harmony. This piece also illustrates how political radicalism can affect someone's social life in the future.I

The Garden Party
Estelle Chen, Grade 12
Medium: Oil paint on canvas

Statement: Before the Romans, the Etruscans inhabited Italy, with the unique tradition of hosting elaborate feasts in the event of a funeral. With music and dance, communities would gather to mourn as well as to celebrate the deceased. In comparison, nowadays, we often treat the dead and the past as something to mourn, then move on from—and effectively forget. In this we could learn from the Etruscans and use art that brings communities together—art in public spaces, live music, group dances—to remember the past, the deceased, and history, while repairing and fostering growth into the future.

Reaching for What Remains
Diana Contreras-Morales, Grade 8
Medium: Digital

Statement: This piece “Reaching for What Remains” shows me reaching towards the light while holding memories close. The light above stands for hope and leading. this artwork is about trying to move forward while honoring what came before. Even when things change, something new and strong grows in its place.

Camera-shy Dad
Emily Ma, Grade 10
Medium: Graphite on paper

Statement: For a long time, my parents disapproved of my love for art. It was only recently that we began to repair our relationship, as I finally showed them how emotionally powerful art can be. I'd approached my dad and requested to photograph him for a sketch. He seemed surprised by my request, as if he couldn't understand why I'd want to draw him. As I clicked my phone before him, he laughed shyly. I started to laugh too. I wanted to capture the joy we shared to remind audiences of the power of art to express love.

The Giving Dead
Melissa Thach, Grade 11
Medium: Acrylic Paint

Statement: The artwork illustrates a falen log, once dead, but now the source of life for a variety of mushrooms. The scene demonstrates how nature naturally recycles life, and how nothing is truly dead. The mushrooms are able ot grow and thrive, restoring and begining life again ni nature. It serves to remind us that regeneration does not always come ni the form that is most expected.

Nurturing Nature
Jenny Xu, Grade 10
Medium: Acrylic

Statement: With my painting, "Nurturing Nature" I wished to contrast the glowing hope of a thriving world against the sometimes negligent results of our mindless practices. Through exponential growth, we have pushed beyond healthy limits and I believe it is time to mend our relationship with our mother planet. To highlight this theme, I chose to personify nature as a living, breathing, caring entity that exists along with the stark backdrop of wasteful industry. My goal is to bring attention to the beauty of Nature so that we can learn again to Nurture.

Wish to Preserve
Priscilla Hsieh, Grade 7
Medium: Acrylic

Statement: Reparative means to repair something thats wounded. This painting is about how the ocean and mountains are some of the most beautiful places on Earth and many are mesmerized by the beauty of it. The ocean sparkles in the sun, full of life and mystery. The mountains rise high with fresh air and peaceful views. But people hurt these places that we love by polluting, and throwing trash as if we don't care. We can help fix this by cleaning up, using less plastic, and respecting nature. When we care for the Earth, we also heal ourselves and our communities.

Mother Nature
Janice Li, Grade 6
Medium: Oil on canvas

Statement: My painting shows a mother blue jay protecting a human baby from the dangers of the world. I wanted to show the strength of a mother's sacrifice and the necessity to protect our beautiful world by reversing the roles of animals and human beings. Although we may call our Earth "Mother Nature", it is our duty to take care of this world and remember the preciousness of our future.

A Scout is Reverent
Quinlan Blankinshp, Grade 6
Medium: Digital Photo Collage

Statement: I express myself in code and images. I was inspired by quilts with layered strips. My art is created with two photographs stitched together in a similar way using code. One photograph is me and another Scout from my Scout Troop on Memorial Day placing flags at a cemetery in Massachusetts. The other is a photo of a shrine at my grandmother’s house in Virginia. The composite image is a juxtaposition of reverence and remembrance expressed by two different cultures. Remembering the dead helps families and communities heal. The image strips force the eyes to contrast two ways of remembranc

Beneath the Surface
Chloe Xie, Grade not specified
Medium: Acrylic Paint

Statement: Growing up near the coast, I developed a deep appreciation for the ocean’s beauty and vitality. Witnessing the damages we’ve done to the ocean is painful. In this piece, the turtle, trapped in plastic and surrounded by debris, symbolizes the vulnerability of nature. The diver’s effort to help is small against the scale of the problem, reflecting the limits of individual action. This work is a response to my own sense of helplessness and a call for collective awareness and responsibility.

The Healer’s Touch
Zijun Lin, Grade 11
Medium: Oil on canvas

Statement: In today’s world, environmental damage—both human-made and natural—deeply impacts our lives. My work explores how urbanization contributes to deforestation, while also highlighting the environment’s ability to heal. We often underestimate our individual impact, which prevents meaningful action. By illustrating a tree with human veins and a heart preserved in a glass dome, I emphasize our shared fate with nature. To foster growth and repair, we must treat the environment with the same care we give our bodies—protecting what’s vital, tending to wounds, and recognizing that healing begins with small, intentional acts.

Fixing our Wrongs
Janet Li, Grade 10
Medium: Acrylic Paint

Statement: The only way to prevent past atrocities from repeating themselves, the only way for society to heal, is through awareness. But how can society learn from their mistakes if they don’t even know about these issues? Innocent individuals mistakenly incarcerated, policies denying basic human rights forgotten. Popular culture, through art, music, TV, is the best way to bring color, to raise awareness, about these societal injustices to a large audience. Visible progress in these injustices brings closure to victims, healing past wounds and allowing us to move towards a world that is more fair and equal for all individuals.

From Ruin, Renewal
Meryam Thlficar, Grade 12
Medium: Oil paint and colored pencils

Statement: My intentions are to portray human activities that affect the modern world today. In this image, there is a robot as the main subject with a background filled with real (3D) wires and fire to depict how humans have advanced and developed in mechanical engineering. In order to achieve what I want to portray, I will be using a canvas as my surface along with materials such as oil paint and colored pencils to achieve a good combination of cool and warm colors, especially in the fire background. Additionally, I will use a 9 x 12 in. canvas which will allow me to make my marks both big and small and create a drawing that captivates the viewer's eye with the different values that will be used. Therefore, the space in the 9 x 12 in. canvas will be used according to the scale of how the painting will be divided, therefore the robot will be larger in proportion to the background, in order to emphasize their significance showing human presence, despite the backgrounds sharp visibility. This will create composition, as the scene will have sharp colors with a robot collaged on top which conveys the painting's importance and true meaning.

Beneath the Blanket
Sandra Wang, Grade 9
Medium: Acrylic paint

Statement: This artwork depicts pollution as a dark, heavy blanket engulfing a city, blocking out life and light. But when the blanket is lifted, flowers, grasses, and vines begin to grow, blooming and breaking through the surface despite the circumstances. This contrast reveals the possibility of renewal and growth, even in places damaged by pollution. It reflects the idea that nature can regenerate and recover, portraying healing and a chance for new beginnings.

Gone Days
Ava Xu, Grade 12
Medium: Graphite on paper

Statement: The elderly figures in this painting sit still as time progresses, reconciling voices from our history with the ongoing struggle to find peace in the present. This piece depicts the accumulation of bygone years, embodying our personal politics, culture, and choices. Only by acknowledging our past can we begin to mend seemingly disparate relationships with time and with one another.

Fixing our Wrongs
Ivan Li, Grade 8
Medium: Watercolor, pen, colored pencils

Statement: This piece describes the act of trying to remove inequality and cruelty by replacing such ideas with peace, kindness, and unity.

It Takes a Village to Bloom
Jasleen Gidda, Grade 11
Medium: Digital Art

Statement: Reparative and regeneration is nurtured through community. In this piece, the central figure, a woman in the form of an ancient tree, carries the trauma of damage and time. Her body is scorched and overgrown. Small white figures tend to her, watering, pruning and planting all around her. They represent a quiet community of love and care. As flowers bloom along her body, she begins to heal. This work reflects the truth that healing does not always happen in isolation. Often, accepting the support of others provides the ability to mend and grow from past scars.

Aphantasia
Arielle Veluz, Grade 12
Medium: Acrylic paint

Statement: I created this piece to describe my personal experience with the reparative and regenerative aspects of art. I depict how the medium itself helps me to find and redefine parts of myself and how I interact with the world. Pieces of my body, fragments of my identity, portions of my mind, all of it forms and connects and shapes who I am to those around me. In a world where micro-trends, bias, and disconnect are woven into the fabric of society, art helps us understand and remember who we are, how we’re connected, and how to heal together as one.

Everlasting
Eric Zeng, Grade 10
Medium: Watercolor

Statement: The gift of life is fleeting. Nothing in this world is permanent- not even humanity. Our reign on Earth, in the fullness of time, will come to an end, and we will return to dust. When this time comes, humanity’s mark will be left for mother nature to reclaim, whether it be a gaping wound or soothing smudge. As we head into the future, it should be our collective goal to preserve the well being of this planet, ensuring that the beautiful wisteria flowers of the future can still bloom just as gloriously after we are gone.

Everlasting
Katherine Xue, Grade not specified
Medium: Oil paint

Statement: In this portrait, I depict my grandmother surrounded by hibiscus, her favorite flower and a symbol of her relentless growth. She came to the United States in her 60s to help care for me and my brother, and is undoubtedly the matriarch of our family (hence the strong color palette). While she found healing in gardening, I find it in art. Though our mediums differ, both reflect care, growth, and repair. Her childhood nickname, xiao huaer (“little flower”), inspired both my piece and its symbolism; in painting her, I've come to better understand my roots, helping me grow as an artist.

Rescuing Bird
Kaylie Liu, Grade 8
Medium: Acrylic

Statement: As a bird lover, I like to watch different types of colorful birds. I pay a lot of attention to bird news. When I saw birds dying of oil spill, I felt very sad. Then there are videos showing scientists saving bird by cleaning their wings. It is a very touching moment that deeply leave a clear mark in my mind.
When I saw the theme of this competition, I recall this mark in my memory. human beings economic activities polluted birds, but scientists reparative makes the birds regenerative again. That is the beauty of human being and animal relationship.

The Beauty from Within
Jakub Sammons, Grade 12
Medium: Acrylic paint

Statement: Everyone is different in this life. There are so many times that we are judged solely on what is on the outside. If only people can sit down and talk, get to know each other. If we would just take the time, the beauty would show. Flowers are not always pretty when they are closed up but it is when they open and we see the colors and smell the aroma.

Through the Eyes of Her
Katherine Martin, Grade 12
Medium: Acrylic paint

Statement: I chose to question what poor mental health can look like in teens exploring what they feel inside as well as how they appear to others externally. Paintings 1,2,4,6 dive deeper into depicting mentally ill teenagers struggling w/ internal battles. Paintings 3,5,7 are in 3rd person POV & depict what a teen's mental illness can look like to others. I used pen, colored pencils & many acrylic techniques to convey a mixture of emotions, such as anger, sadness, & anxiety. My use of blending and overlapping the 3 mediums was to show how teenager's emotions can mix, overlap & blend together. If a society can recognize the help that struggling teens need, then the world will become a better place.

Memory Bank
Haotian Tu, Grade 8
Medium: Pencil

Statement: The piggy banks in my sketch symbolizes the place where my memories are stored. The money represents the actual memories. I chose to use money to represent my memories because they’re all very valuable to me. The various shades of the bills reflect how clearly I remember each moment, some more vividly than others. However, even the faded ones are still deeply cherished. Some bills are also blank, meaning that I expect more memorable moments. This piece illustrates memories are not only reminisce the past, but each experience pave a path for me to do better in the future.

Generations
Alyson Mendoza, Grade 12
Medium: Acrylic paint

Statement: Alyson Mendoza is a Dallas, Texas based mixed media artist whose work consists mostly of paint and collage. Born and raised in Oak Cliff, their work explores themes of gender, sexuality, race and ethnicity with the main goal to express the untold stories and inspiration rom their enveiment and personal experiences, Mendoza uses color, shape and a semi-realistic art style to convey a sense of nostalgia or belonging for those who may feel under represented. Their art has been featured twice at the Hudson gallery located at the acclaimed Booker T. Washington High School for the Visual and Performing Arts, where they also attend school. These galleries consist of the 2022 New Works showcase and the 2023 Studio Selections showcase.

Where Nature Flies and We Rest
Moriah Beard, Grade 12
Medium: Digital Art (Procreate)

Statement: This piece is about emotional repair and the quiet kind of healing. Two people rest on the back of a living whale, surrounded by others drifting through the sky. Nothing urgent is happening. Just peace. In a world full of pressure and noise, I wanted to show that real growth can come from rest and softness. This moment isn’t escape, but it’s restoration. When we slow down and let ourselves feel safe again, we begin to mend. That’s what I believe it means to be reparative and regenerative.

Amid Ashes Life Returns
Chloe Du, Ana Wang, Grade not specified
Medium: Sculpture, clay, plants, moss

Statement: This installation combines natural elements—dry flowers, live moss, and a goat skull—set against a tea-stained, fire-singed paper backdrop featuring a deer skull sketch. The scorched edges represent destruction, like forest fires, while the moss and flowers show nature's resilience. The skulls evoke death, but from that death, new life emerges. This piece explores how the earth regenerates through decay, finding strength in rebirth. Even when everything seems lost, nature quietly begins again. Through its raw, organic textures, the installation honors the cycle of life, reminding us that healing and growth always follow loss and destruction.

The Future is Symbiosis
Alexandra Grace Murray, Grade 12
Medium: Batik, Fabric dye, muslin & wax

Statement: This dyed batik embodies the vitalness of aquaculture. To repair and rejuvenate our ecosystems we will need to go back to the basics. Fish, plants, and water are examples of this symbiotic relationship. Plants purify water for fish, in return fish waste fertilizes the plants. Water and plants provide nourishment for the fish. These types of symbiotic relationships will create a ripple effect and positively impact other ecosystems, making them stronger. This will make our environment more sustainable and efficient.

Replanting Our World
Kina Xu, Grade not specified
Medium: Acrylic

Statement: Currently our planet holds two possibilities: a bleak future full with a polluted environment or a sustainable, developed world with green infrastructure. But it all depends on the actions we make in the present. Although planting a single tree seems like a small task, even the smallest step can help make a big impact. Each tree planted is a sprout of hope to help repair our planet. While we still can, we should stop taking until there’s nothing left and start giving back to the beautiful earth which we couldn’t have survived without.

Soursop Blue
Chetachi T. Nnamdi, Grade not specified
Medium: Acrylic

Statement: “Soursop Blue” reimagines a traditionally green, healing fruit in an unexpected blue hue, set against a vivid red backdrop. This transformation speaks to regeneration—the renewal of identity through bold reinterpretation—and reparation, as it honors cultural roots while challenging norms. The soursop, known for its medicinal properties, becomes a metaphor for hope and healing in a modern context. Its vibrant, almost surreal presentation suggests that restoration doesn’t mean returning to the past—but reshaping it, reclaiming beauty and power in new, vibrant, and unapologetically radical ways.

Back to the Earth (Simpler Ways)
Frank Lockwood, Grade 12
Medium: Charcoal

Statement: This piece reflects the sustainable ways of my Native American ancestors; homes built from the land, in harmony with it. As we face environmental and social crises, this artwork reminds us that healing begins by honoring old ways. It’s reparative in its call to reconnect with tradition, and regenerative in its vision for a future rooted in balance, community, and respect. Through this piece, I aim to show that progress doesn’t always mean moving forward—sometimes it means returning to what once worked and building from there. That is another reason charcoal was the medium I chose to use for this project. I hope y'all like it and I truly thank you for letting me put in my submission!!!!

The Painter’s Freedom
Lillian Xiya Chen, Grade 9
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas

Statement: Creating self-portraits has always felt discouraging to me. In a world where many— including myself — strive to express out true selves honestly, we inevitably face internal challenges. This struggle inspired me to paint my own journey of self-reflection and re-discovery.
From the surface of the subject, a version of “I”, symbolize humanity’s deep connection through nature: the shared sky and stars above us, the beating heart, the thinking mind. Yet, within the painting, the “true me” portrayed as free— completely open to the world— while the painter, the self holding the brush, remains confined behind prison-like window bars.

Through the Eyes
Anthony Yu, Grade 8
Medium: Color pencils

Statement: Many habitats are fractured, like the jungle depicted in this artwork - while once a teeming rainforest, in our modern world, this piece of bustling jungle has been cut down to make space for factories. With enough effort, broken things can be repaired once again. The soft flutter of a butterfly’s wings can change the world, just like how a small change in the destroyed balance of an ecosystem can start to let it heal. By recognizing the simplistic beauty of nature, step by step, we humans can slowly mend broken habitats, one small act at a time.

Self-Portrait
Jayden Park, Grade not specified
Medium: Painting

Statement: This self-portrait shows different sides of me. I used colors, lines, and patterns to express how I’ve grown and changed. The way of lines hint at struggles, while the layered shapes and blooming forms show healing and new beginnings. Through this, I wanted to capture not just the hard parts, but also the strength and hope that come after. It's a reflection of my personal journey and dreams for the future, but also about how we all move forward and rebuild.

The Loving Giant
Eric Y. Ma, Grade 7
Medium: Acrylic paint

Statement: In Greek Mythology, the Titan, Prometheus gifted us fire through his sacrifices, helping us establish our civilization. Likewise, my artwork depicts a giant holding and protecting Earth, acting as a metaphor, expressing how humans need to collaborate as one being to health Earth’s environmental wounds, like a powerful Titan. However, for us humans to work together, we first must spread awareness about Earth;s predicament. I hope my art has the power to unite people, and convince others to start contributing to the cause, slowly but surely healing and returning our Earth.

Continuous
Nicole Mitchell, Grade 12
Medium: Watercolor

Statement: This artwork symbolizes cycles of reparative healing and regeneration. Just as water flows over rocks, reshaping and smoothing them, the process of healing requires time and constant renewal. The waterfall represents the restorative power of nature and the ongoing journey of recovery — whether environmental or personal. Its continuous flow echoes the resilience inherent in all living things: the ability to repair, regenerate, and rise again. In creating this piece, I invite the viewers to reflect on their own cycles of restoration, finding strength and renewal in the natural world’s perpetual transformations.

Restoration in Blue
Xinyu Melody Liu, Grade 11
Medium: Acrylic paint on canvas

Statement: This work examines the issue of fragmentation and wholeness in nature through the bluebird, a symbol of hope and renewal. I take the bluebird and break it into geometric blocks, while placing natural textures next to fields of saturated color, to consider that beauty and identity exist even if separated. In its fragmented state, the object and background push and pull to find meaning together. The layers of flowers, branches, and geometric shapes suggest ideas of dreams and memory merging as independent entities, navigating their way through chaos yet creating connectivity. This work is an investigation into how we translate disconnectedness into wholeness.

Persistence of Bloom
Junyu Liu, Grade 10
Medium: Photography

Statement: In this photograph, I encounter a quiet coexistence of life and decay juxtaposed in the wildflowers and fallen leaves resting on craggy stone. The juxtaposition of the feathery petals of the wildflowers and the knobby, moss-covered rock provides a meditative, dream-like quality regarding time, adaptability, and regeneration. In pointing to a brief moment in the cyclical sense of nature, I investigate the endurance of beauty during inevitable change. It is a visual poem of temporality, where even the tiniest bloom occupies a foothold in a world of silence and erosion.

The Whimsical Wanderer
Nicholas Molton, Grade not specified
Medium: Clay Ceramic

Statement: "The Whimsical Wanderer" is a handcrafted mask that embodies the spirit of curiosity and playful exploration. Blending vibrant colors, asymmetrical patterns, and fantastical embellishments, it reflects the unpredictable journey of the imagination. This piece invites viewers to see the world through the eyes of a dreamer—someone who dances between reality and fantasy, collecting stories along the way. The exaggerated features and theatrical design are inspired by carnival traditions and folklore, celebrating self-expression and transformation. "The Whimsical Wanderer" serves as both a disguise and a revelation, encouraging us to embrace the magic of the unknown.

Social Anxiety is a Drug
Javier Kinchen, Grade 12
Medium: Acrylic paint

Statement: The point of this art piece is to show that anxiety can be caused by a variety of reason. In this case, it is because of the bad environment. You can see that some of the floors are missing, the couch and chair is dirty, and the walls are mold/dirty. This horrible environment could affect people in many ways but anxiety is one of the main reasons. The guy in the corner is black (not race wise) because it represents a void. The big blue eye that is intensely staring at the man represents the people that looks at him.

Bloom from Within
Grace Kerschner, Grade 12
Medium: Multimedia

Statement: To be honest, school was not easy for me. My brain was always focusing in fragments. School felt like a place where I didn’t belong and I was living in a storm of emotions. My Junior year of high school, I was diagnosed with ADHD. That diagnosis helped everything make sense. Through it all, art was my refuge. I have always excelled at art and I used art to help overcome my challenges. This piece represents the struggle to find myself, overcome challenges, and accept my disability. It represents “Blooming from Within” to bring who I am to the surface.

Together
Allison Bu, Grade 8
Medium: Oil painting

Statement: My painting shows that friendship and support are the key to fostering growth and repair within ourselves as well as our society. The dark room represents the depth of desolation people experience without a friend to embrace them. The little girl, symbolizing humankind, is leaning out of this room of loneliness and stagnation to reach for the hand offered by a friend. With this single action, the girl was led into the outside world full of vibrance and positivity, just like how one could regain strength and joy through simple acts of friendship.

Perennial Weeds
Sabrina Xu, Grade 9
Medium: Colored pencils

Statement: My artwork shows the theme of reparation and regeneration in a very on-the-nose way. While drawing this piece, I made it clear that to foster growth and repair, one first has to solve the root of the problem. Obviously, the key is to start from the heart! Close in and fix it with surgical precision.

Perennial Weeds
Jenny Gong, Grade 8
Medium: Acrylic paint

Statement: Dandelions are weeds, beautiful but intruders— uninvited, unwelcome, and uncontrolled. Yet they can be symbols of resilence and regeneration, they mend the cracks in forgotten spaces and flourish into blooming symbols of new life. I wish to capture what people consider "weeds" and change our perspective, and rather think of how to turn the weeds into ways to mend the broken, weeds represent decay and regeneration. We focus on the "decay," the bad in the world, but yet we can turn this decay into regerneration, let this "decay" bring us together, to bring awarness, to bring communities together.

Ivy Taylor, Grade 12
Medium: Oil painting

Statement: The piece I have submitted is the Journey of the Rainbow Serpent across the night sky and how its forces can transform that which is around us. The Rainbow Serpent’s movements are bold, but their effects can be subtle yet profound. Waves of transformative energy wash across creation as the Rainbow Serpent slithers across the sky, transforming everything from the great night sky to the movements of the Quokka. As the Rainbow Serpent passes by in its journey to renew the sky, it brings rain to the desert, and without the Rainbow Serpent crossing, it is believed the land would dry up and wither away. Rain is a time of joy as it begins a new cycle and washes away the old. Just like a snake shedding its skin, so too does the rain. What was old and burdensome is washed away and what remains is pure and joyful.

Cynthia Mai, Grade 11
Medium: Acrylic paint, foam pieces, ceramics on canvas

Statement: I used orchids and moths as symbols of hope for a light in dark times. I depicted my journey from despair to renewed hope through my skinless hands that represent past hurt as well as the potential for healing. Reaching out to the orchids and moths embody my desire to adapt to new surroundings, and to fit into societal norms. Therefore, as long as there is hope and a goal in the heart, even a wounded soul can heal again.

Stop Eating Wings
Emily Weng, Grade 6
Medium: Acrylic paint

Statement: My painting is about a stop sign with stop and wing on it. I created a stop sign with growth and helpfulness to help everyone realize how unhealthy wings are. My artwork is used with acrylic paint. I used slow and steady wins the race to carefully make the edges in my artork even and stright. My artwork shows connections to the competion theme becuase my artwork shows growth and tells the audience that eating less wings can improve healthy lifestyles.

Color of Pollution
Jessica Shihyu Chao, Middle School
Medium: Oil pastel, color pencil acrylic

Statement: In this artwork, I created a fish that stuck in a bubble. Inside the bubble, it's full of color, in the other hand, it's a black and white world outside the bubble. Color means hope, imagination, and the clean air, trees, flowers and ocean. The natural things on our Earth. The black, respond the place that has been destroyed by human. Like building factories and having too much pollutions.

The Light
Tian (Daniel) Liang, Grade 8
Medium: Paper

Statement: This piece is called The Light. It depicts a man climbing out of a dead body, symbolizing rebirth and regeneration. The background is black, with strips of light shining down on the man as he ascends back into the world. Flowers next to the dead body's feet represent the idea that even in darkness and despair, light and prosperity can always be found. The dove flying into the light serves as a symbol of hope, guiding those who are lost back into the world.

Contemplation
Grace Wang, Grade 8
Medium: Watercolor

Statement: When we view the world through art, we view the past (starvation, suffering, war, etc.) but also reflect on our present. The future, however, is entirely up to us and where we decide to go. I have faith that hearts will unite to repair broken bridges and our scars, and blessings will pave the way to a brighter future.

The inside-Decay and Rebirth
Lisa Yuzhu Wang, Grade 12
Medium: Plastic insects, spray paint, oil paint

Statement: This artwork symbolizes the constant process of transformation and renewal necessary for personal evolution. The back of the person hugging themselves conveys the courage to face wounds and work tirelessly to repair the body and spirit. It emphasizes the resilience required to grow and improve one's state. The golden insect represents the aggression of nature and change, reminding people that transformation is accompanied by pain but it is part of self-evolution.

Rise and Bloom
Mirabelle Kwok, Grade 7
Medium: Ink on paper

Statement: Phoenixes are mythical creatures that rise from their ashes, symbolizing renewal and healing. I believe we can learn from them because it's never too late to learn and grow. One day, I hope there won't be barriers between people, and we can all work together and enjoy life. Like a phoenix and blooming flowers, we can heal, rebuild, and thrive together to create a better world.

Colorful Escapes
Olivia Weng, Grade 8
Medium: Acrylic marker and paint

Statement: My artwork shows a cat in jail, playing Block Blast. Block Blast is a moblie game like tetris, where players drag and drop colorful blocks to create lines. I used acrlic paint to show the bright colors of the blocks, highlighting how engaging the game can be. Students often feel stressed from tests, home work, and classwork. Playing Block Blast helps relieve that stress and is a fun way to pass time. However the game can be so addictive that players may forget their responsibiities and waste time.

Hope in the Cracks
Yuewen Li, Grade 11
Medium: Watercolor

Statement: Through my work "Hope in the Cracks," I aim to showcase how countries shattered by war are rebuilt in times of peace. In the painting, the ruins of war are gradually replaced by new communities, symbolizing hope and revival, thereby awakening people's yearning for the good and inspiring them to pursue a harmonious and peaceful future.

The Other Side
Bailey Haag, High School
Medium: Paper with paper quilling

Statement: This piece of artwork was inspired by my own experienced throughout life. The top of this art is colorful flowers, while the bottom is the exact same image although in black and white. The gray and white part symbolizes the flowers dying and hurting below the surface, which I believe translates to the real world. The piece shows that no matter how beautiful or perfect someone or something is, there is more going on beneath the surface that others do not know about. I believe we are in an environmental crisis with the people around us, because people only care about themselves and are too harsh to people around them. I believe socially as a whole people need to treat each other regardless of looks.

Heavy with Mood
Ezekiel Evans, High School
Medium: Acrylic paint

Statement: The inspiration for this piece came to me whilst I was listening to a song, that often happens when it comes to my art. I hear profound lyrics and I get the urge to create a tangible image for them.

The Power of Light
Makaylin Sizemore, Grade 12
Medium: Surrealism (medium not specified)

Statement: Something that inspired me to make this art piece is that I wanted to try to represent how some people's minds may feel when they are at their lowest. The elements of my work that connects with the theme is textures. Some surrealist techniques I used was juxtaposition. It's meant to represent how even when surrounded by darkness there is always light. Like how even if I may be in a dark place I always have god and his angel watching over me protecting me and always giving me faith to get out of the darkness.

Sailors Valentine
Kaitlin Kingsley, Grade 12
Medium: Marker on paper

Statement: I made this as a memorial to my late grandmother who is my namesake, Katherine Kingsley. She wore this pendent everyday I ever saw her, including in hospice on comfort care. I challenged myself with pointillism to bring this simple necklace to life.

Passion Fusion
Saara Khan, Grade 12
Medium: Pens and colored pencils

Statement: From a young age I've had a deep passion for both athletics and the arts- more specifially basketball and creative writing. I was always told I had to choose one, because they were just too different for me to pursue both. But I didn't listen. I continued playing basketball and also pursued my passion for writing in my free time. Which is why I've named this artwork "Passion Fusion". You don't have to have just one passion or interest. Why not explore them all?

Water Brings Life
Hanne Graham Lawver, Grade 12
Medium: Clay, Glaze, Pottery

Statement: Water patterns caputred in clay , glazed with the noise of the waters of the puget sound in washington state ready to renew for spring. Purpose holder of the spring renew Tulips.

He Who is Without Sin
Kaylee Baldwin, Grade 12
Medium: Digital

Statement: I draw how I feel and I feel how I draw.

Yellowstone Eruption
Michael Williams, High School
Medium: Not specified

Statement: The piece of artwork that I have attatched in the third of three drawings I made of a supervolcanic eruption at Yellowstone National Park. I made it mainly as an emotional release a few years ago.

Regenerative Flames
Celine Chen, Grade 8
Medium: Acrylic

Statement: This painting depicts a woman undergoing a regenerative transformation in flames. Fire has the power to consume everything, yet it can also burn away all negativity. Regeneration is about embracing change, feeling warmth, and welcoming new beginnings.

Transformation of the Soul
Dereck Chen, Grade 10
Medium: Alcohol markers

Statement: The painting features a backlighting effect, portraying the struggle between darkness and hope. Blue flowers surround the scene, resembling a gentle force of restoration. A butterfly flutters its wings, signifying the transformation of life. Restoration is not about forgetting the past, but about turning it into nourishment for growth, paving the way for a better future.

Facing the True Self
Rachel Zhou, Grade 12
Medium: Oil painting & Collage

Statement: This artwork is a reassembly of my own face. I tend to avoid and hide the parts of myself that lack confidence, but I need to face them and allow the fractured pieces to undergo a regenerative transformation. I am no longer who I was in the past—I am a more confident version of myself.

The Protector
Phoebe Lau, Grade 8
Medium: Sketch, not specified

Statement: This painting tells the story of a little girl and her shadow companion. She was once afraid of her shadow, but over time, she realized that it was her protector, silently watching over her. As she learned to accept her shadow, she also learned to accept herself.

Reflections of Renewal
Tiffany Ling, Grade 10
Medium: Acrylic

Statement: The girl sits on the shattered mirror, with reflections of the past gazing at her. Restoration is not about piecing things back to their original form but about reshaping oneself into a stronger version with the fragments. Rebirth is about finding new light within the fractures. She is no longer afraid, for she is rebuilding a future that truly belongs to her.

Light Through the Chains
Xingyu Liu, Grade 12
Medium: Oil painting

Statement: Chaos and rebirth intertwine, with a fractured face reflecting inner struggles. Chains bind the past, while the glow of renewal emerges from the swirling colors. Restoration is not about avoidance but confronting the turmoil and finding growth within the cracks. Rebirth happens when we dare to release fear, let the light of the soul pierce through the darkness, and reshape our true selves.

Reaching for the Light
Sijia Cao, Grade 11
Medium: Charcoal and Pastels

Statement: She reaches out, her fingertips touching the edge of light as if trying to grasp hope. Darkness once surrounded her, but now she feels warmth slipping through her fingers, allowing the light to take on a reparative role, mending the cracks and illuminating her heart. Regenerative strength is found in the depths, empowering her to move forward with courage.

Symbiosis
Melody Wu, Grade 9
Medium: Acrylic

Statement: A hand emerges from the soil, with golden branches and leaves blooming at its fingertips— life is rejuvenated through growth. White and black represent the past and the future, embracing each other in a reparative process. Light flows through the gaps between the fingers; though the process of regeneration is slow, it is full of vitality.

Fantasy City
Zenan Wang, Grade 10
Medium: Watercolor & Pen

Statement: A whale leaps above the city, where the water’s surface merges with the streets, blurring the line between reality and fantasy. A reparative act is about rekindling the connection between humans and nature. A regenerative future makes harmony possible, and coexistence is the most beautiful path forward.

Light Through the Cracks
Haolin Ye, Grade 10
Medium: Acrylic

Statement: The entire artwork utilizes complementary colors- blue and orange. Blue represents coldness, while orange symbolizes warmth. Many cold hands slowly peel away the outer shell of the face, revealing a burning, passionate expression beneath. It is warmth overcoming the cold, allowing the true self to bloom once again through the cracks.

The Call of Freedom
Duohui Li, Grade 8
Medium: Watercolor

Statement: This painting flows with vibrant colors, creating a dreamy and poetic atmosphere. The two birds nestled together, like close friends, contrast sharply with the white bird soaring freely, symbolizing the longing for freedom. It captures the delicate balance between attachment and independence, the past and the future. The interplay of night and stars represents the process of healing and rebirth, reminding us that whether in friendship or family, farewell is not the end but the beginning of a new journey. Only by embracing life can we discover new hope and strength in the face of change.

The Regenerative Angel
Xinyan Lin, Grade 8
Medium: Acrylic

Statement: In this painting, the blooming flowers intertwine with the curled-up angel, as if telling a story of reparative transformation and regeneration. Flowers symbolize life— they wither over time, yet they continuously renew themselves. The angel embracing the petals seems to be seeking warmth, as if she has endured fragmentation and pain. At this moment, surrounded by flowers, she has once again found warmth.

Circle of Life
Deng Huizhi, Grade 9
Medium: Drawing Paper & Marker

Statement: This artwork depicts nature's harmony with birds through delicate strokes and vivid colors. A wounded bird yearns to fly, symbolizing life's resilience and nature's healing. It raises awareness of ecological balance, emphasizing human duty in nature's restoration.

Restoration and Regeneration
Li Jiayi, Grade 7
Medium: Markers & pen

Statement: This painting conveys that while humans are advancing technologically, they are also working hard to restore and protect the natural environment, bringing the Earth back to life. The vibrant nature, in turn, uses its own power to dissolve the fragments of civilization, allowing the world to coexist harmoniously in cycles and reincarnation.

The left side of the painting features a modern city as its backdrop,symbolizing the rapid development of technology. The right side of the painting focuses on nature, showcasing its beauty and vitality. Lush trees, free-swimming marine life, and the gradual dissolution of modern civilization's remnants by the power of nature are depicted, leading to a return to unity.

Reignited Horizons: Where History Fuels Tomorrow
Yifan Wu, Grade 6
Medium: Drawing paper & markers

Statement: This surreal painting merges a colossal crocodile with futuristic architecture and a speeding train. Primal textures contrast sharply with glass urban structures, while a gradient blue-green backdrop merges ecological resilience with technological momentum. The crocodile’s gaze and urban dynamism collide, redefining regeneration as symbiotic evolution of old and new. Vibrant hues of yellow and orange amplify the tension between organic history and engineered futures.

Harmonious Coexistence: A Colorful Wind
Yihan Liu, Grade 6
Medium: Drawing paper & markers

Statement: Our planet is a remarkable tapestry of diverse life. Humans, animals, and plants all share this Earth. However, conflicts often disrupt this harmony. To achieve harmonious coexistence, we need to respect nature. Protect wildlife habitats, reduce pollution, and promote sustainable living. Only in this way can we keep our world colorful and full of life.

Molting Seas
Yiguo Fan, Grade 8
Medium: Drawing paper & markers

Statement: This work embodies oceanic regeneration through visceral metamorphosis. Human figures, entangled in luminous jellyfish and corroded shipwrecks, dissolve into a vertical vortex of reborn ecosystems—plastic debris morphing into bioluminescent coral, veins fusing with seagrass. Acrylic translucence and fractured collage textures mirror cellular rebirth, while neon mutations glide through purified tides. Struggling bodies, half-transparent and threaded with algal DNA.

Through the Cracks of Time
Zhang Xinwei, Grade 6
Medium: Watercolor & marker painting

Statement: The painting presents an era full of turbulence, which is both a reflection on the past and an exploration of the future. It expresses how humanity seeks order and rebuilds itself in the midst of impermanence and chaos, moving towards a new era.

City Plant
Yuzi Zhang, Grade 8
Medium: Paper & markers

Statement: In the picture, I combine living plants with broken buildings.It brought this city back to life.It's a sign of new life. Also Compared with the nearby buildings, a series of buildings that are visually back open up the distance in the picture and make the picture look more complete.These buildings are also combined with plants to make the city look more harmonious. That's my overall picture.

Resurrected from the Dead
Xinyan Hu, Grade 9
Medium: Paper & markers

Statement: The breath of death in the sun is not strong, but there is a sense of beauty. The plants are more and more lush on the ruins, gradually forming a new world.

The Duality of Time
Xinle Li, Grade 7
Medium: Marker pen

Statement: The deity commands crimson branches of red spider lilies to repair decaying structures, their touch sparking molecular rebirth in fractured walls. Yet one ancient building, eroded by eras of unrecorded time, fades from collective memory. Its absence lingers unnoticed—a void persisting beyond the deity’s omniscient perception, where neither roots nor light reclaim its silhouette from the encroaching dark.

The Fish Traveling Through Time
Katherine, Grade 7
Medium: Toner and Markers

Statement: "The fish Traveling Through Time" is a metaphor for freedom and exploration. The fish swimming between the city and the ocean symbolize the integration of nature and modernity. I capture their fluidity with color and light, hoping to evoke imagination of the unknown and a sense of wonder in the intersection of time and space. This work is both a tribute to nature and a vision for a better future.

Realm of Rebirth: Layered Visions of Civilization
Zhang Shuyao, Grade 6
Medium: Paper, pencil, markers, and oil-based colored pencils

Statement: At the convergence of faded vermilion walls and steel arc bridges, panda observes civilization's transformation through dual perspectives. Mottled silhouettes of imperial palaces and luminous ripples of glass curtain walls coalesce into temporal folds. Faded pigments of ancient architectural murals intertwine with the silvery gleam of high-speed rail tracks, regenerating within the chromatic spectrum.

Harmony Reborn
Zhuang Yuen Yuen, Grade 6
Medium: Drawing paper & marker

Statement: This vibrant painting depicts a girl seated on a vintage car, encircled by blooming flowers and peaceful animals, with a lush forest in the distance. Symbolizing repair and regeneration, the work merges human innovation with nature’s resilience. Amid environmental crises and social fractures, the scene envisions art as a bridge to healing—where fractured relationships, ecological wounds, and inner turmoil begin to mend. Through harmonious coexistence, it invites reflection: Can creativity rekindle growth in ourselves, communities, and the planet? The piece celebrates art’s power to transform decay into hope, urging collective renewal.

Clouds Rise and Fall
Shiwan Liu, Grade unspecified
Medium: Drawing paper & marker

Statement: My topic is about repair and regeneration。I was drawing about a shabby and corrupt bridge，I use the rags of the bridge to set off the beauty of peach blossoms.And the whale next to it either chose to turn it into a high-tech.This bridge will eventually be transformed and eventually become more advanced and modern.

Sunflower Under Repair
Wang Weixin, Grade 8
Medium: Professional drawing paper, not specified

Statement: lnspired by the competition theme of restoration and regeneration, the shattered ashen sunflowers and the bridge overgrown with weeds in the painting yearn for the day they will be revitalizd. Meanwhile,the golden sunflowers symbolizing life and hope radiate their glow upon the regenerated skyscrapers rising from the broken ruins.

Rain
Hans Boekweg, Grade 12
Medium: Photography

Statement: No statement provided.

Innocence
Tanner Davison, Grade 12
Medium: Photography

Statement: Having a younger brother with a large age gap between us has allowed me to enjoy and appreciate his journey of independence, adventure, and genuine innocence in all that life offers. This photo captures the vast opportunities he will encounter throughout his life and the unlimited possibilities that lie ahead.

Perspective
Aliana Guzman, Grade 12
Medium: Digital Art

Statement: Throughout life, we meet many different people with many different backgrounds. This piece ("Perspective") is about just that, gaining perspective. It's important that we learn to understand and gain perspective with every situation or person we cross paths with. Through this, everything can come together as one as we continue to observe and better our view on life.

Whisper of a Bloom
Alyssa Meade, Grade 11
Medium: Pencil

Statement: "Whisper of a Bloom" is about the moment when new life first sees the world. It's both a butterflies and a flowers first time blooming; two beginnings in with one another. In this piece, I wanted to show the resolve, delicacy, and beauty that reside in those very first steps forward.

Love
Katherine Surniak, Grade 11
Medium: Digital

Statement: With jealousy, fear, and disgust taking up a majority of bodily functions. Her life is fueled, and healed through joy and love. Representing a different way of regeneration.

Blooming Eye
Xutong (Selina) Hu, Grade 11
Medium: Colored pencils and charcoal

Statement: We live in an era of overwhelming information, where our minds constantly absorb news from the outside world—both inspiring and deeply painful. The blue forms in the background represent dendrites of neurons, symbolizing how quickly we grasp and internalize what surrounds us. Despite the emotional weight this carries, the central blooming form reveals our inherent ability to heal. This piece reflects the reparative and regenerative nature of the human spirit: even when confronted by suffering and chaos, we hold the power to transform pain into growth. Art, like the mind, becomes a space where restoration and resilience can blossom.

Resilience in Bloom
Kimberly Medina, Grade 12
Medium: Digital Photography

Statement: Juxtaposed a burning street scene with blooming flowers to show LA's tension between chaos and care.

Rain in the Dancing
Malinda Zhu, Grade 8
Medium: Oil painting

Statement: Much like reparative practices, art can be used to address the root causes of conflict and injustice to focus on healing, rather than only punishing offenders. My painting shows a world full of anger, hate, and fire. The dancer's gracefulness and blue dress symbolize peace, the water to extinguish the
fire. “Rain in the Dancing” is therefore a play on the metaphorical phrase dancing in the rain, embracing difficult situations and finding joy in them. By healing ourselves, we can then help others around us and empower indivudals to make the world a better place.

2025 Student Art Competition Entries
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2025 Student Art Competition Entries
Judging Page