Teen writing and art contest publication features three local winners

Posted
Karen Lovett

“Our Own Expressions” has just been published, showcasing contest winners from the Pierce County Library Systems 18 Annual Teen Writing and Art Contest.

Originally the contest accepted only written submissions but eventually widened the scope to include photography and artwork. Two participants from the Key Peninsula were awarded placements in the 2014 competition.

Caileigh Gainey from Key Peninsula Middle School took third place in the photography category for grades 7 and 8 with her picture, “100 Cobblestone Way.”

Savannah Bohl from Peninsula High School took third place in photography for grades 9 and 10 with her photo, “Abandon.”

Cole Maurmann was awarded third place in the drawing category for grades 11 and 12 with his portrait, “Mockingjay of Katniss" from the movie “Hunger Games.” This was the third time he entered the contest. He has also entered drawings in the Kitsap Fair every year. The home-schooled student from North Kitsap only took one basic art class on Fox Island offered through their home-schooled co-op.

He was taught using a grid, said mom, Lori Maurmann. “After that he was self-taught. We purchased books or he checked them out at the library. One year he did eyeballs. He doodled eyeballs on any piece of paper. Eyeballs were everywhere. The second year he worked on shading. This year he is working on doing bigger pictures, she said.

Ive been drawing for five years, Cole said. I do one type of drawing every week. Drawing expresses creativity. Theres no such thing as good or bad art. I did eyes because they were fast to do. I usually spend four to five hours on a drawing. Graphite is my main medium, but Ive also taken up inking. I usually do people. I have done cars, he said.

The 12th grader has just submitted an entry for this years 2015 contest. Judging will be finished by the end of March. An awards ceremony will showcase winners on May 27. Award-winning entries will be published in a booklet next year.

The contest has grown every year, said Rosina Vertz, Key Center Library supervisor. This year we had over 1,000 entries.

The contest is sponsored by Pierce County Library System and Foundation with support from Pacific Lutheran University and Print NW.

For information, visit piercecountylibrary.org/kids-teens/teens/teen-writing-art.

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