The title and theme of this year’s VHM Visual Arts Contest was “Survivor Stories.” Students were asked to use the Museum’s collections to research a Holocaust Survivor and create artwork inspired by their stories.
The contest was open to 6th-12th grade students internationally. VHM welcomed entries from all over. There were 65 entries total, most from all throughout Virginia, but a few were from out of state, and even an entry from Seoul, South Korea.
Entries were from around 34 different schools total.
VHM normally only has one one honorable mention for each division, but this year they chose to have two honorable mentions for each division since the artwork was so exceptional this year.
Not only was the artwork visually wonderful, but each winner truly researched a Holocaust Survivor and did an amazing job of sharing their stories. Some of the artists got to meet the Holocaust Survivors or families of the Survivors, with whom they made their artwork about, so it was beautiful to see them meet and connect.
The 2024 winners are currently displayed in our lobby. See photo below
The names of the art contest winners:
Junior division (6th-8th grade):
Saanjana Akunuri_1st place
Nevaeh Bella Crewe_2nd Place
Jillian Sheetz_3rd Place
Claire Teichert_Honorable mention
Camilla Stracener_Honorable mention
Senior division (9th-12th grade)
Morgan Bell_1st Place
Molly Janousek_2nd Place
Eva Mckinley_3rd Place
Julia Velazquez_Honorable mention
Reese Burroughs_Honorable mention