Announcing the Winners of the Student Art Competition!
The Clarkston Community Center Student Art Competition invited students from elementary, middle, and high schools to showcase their creativity under the theme: "A Woman Who Inspires You.
Students were encouraged to create artwork featuring a woman who has influenced or changed their lives—whether a historical figure, an artist, an activist, or a loved one.
This year, we were overwhelmed by the passion, creativity, and thoughtfulness displayed in the submissions. Every piece told a story, and every artist brought something unique to the competition.
Today, we are thrilled to announce and celebrate our 2025 winners!
Elementary School Winner: Jaye Johnson
The winner of the Elementary School Category is Jaye Johnson, a talented artist from the 5th grade. Jaye’s artwork, created during a single 45-minute class period, focuses on the legendary writer and poet, Maya Angelou.
Inspired by her studies of influential African American figures, Jaye was drawn to Angelou’s legacy and sought to capture the essence of her in her artwork. Jaye worked with crayons and white drawing paper, tackling a difficult subject that many of her peers found too challenging. Despite the complexity of the subject, Jaye took it on with enthusiasm and produced an award-winning masterpiece.
Her piece is a testament to her courage as an artist and her determination to create something meaningful. Through her work, she demonstrated not only her artistic skills but also her deep respect for the impactful women who have shaped history.
Middle School Winner: Juliana Antunes
School: Druid Hills Middle School
Grade: 7th
Juliana Antunes, a passionate reader and young artist, chose to honor Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning advocate for girls’ education. Despite being in 7th grade, Juliana took on an 8th-grade art project under the guidance of her teacher, Ms. Bishop.
The portrait was carefully planned and executed using a layered painting technique that involved outlining over clear plastic, color theory for the background, and intricate work on the hijab using light and dark contrast. Juliana’s work demonstrates both artistic and conceptual depth.
She chose Malala for her unwavering courage and resilience in the face of violence. “I think that it's amazing that she continued to fight for women's rights after she was attacked and shot in the head for her beliefs,” Juliana wrote. “In my eyes, she is a hero.”
High School Winner: Luna Engle
The winner of the High School Category is Luna Engle, a sophomore at DeKalb School of the Arts. Luna has long been passionate about both musical theater and visual arts, using creativity as a way to express her emotions.
Her award-winning piece, titled “A Mother’s Cradle,” is a stunning portrayal of the unconditional love between a mother and child. Created over the course of three days, Luna used acrylic paint and layering techniques to build texture and depth in the painting, bringing out both the emotion and strength of her subject.
Luna’s inspiration for the piece came from the most influential woman in her life—her mother. Through her artwork, Luna paid tribute to her mother’s strength, wisdom, and support, capturing the essence of that special bond between a mother and her child.
About the Competition
The competition was open to all DeKalb County students, with three categories for different grade levels: Elementary (1st-5th grade), Middle School (6th-8th grade), and High School (9th-12th grade). In addition to the winners in each category, a People’s Choice Award was presented to the artwork with the most votes from the public.
The competition was designed to inspire students to reflect on the women who have shaped their lives and to express that inspiration through art. The winning pieces will be displayed as part of the Clarkston Community Center’s next Art Exhibition, providing a platform for young artists to showcase their work and gain recognition for their talents.
What about the middle school age group?