CAST YOUR VOTE NOW
The masterpieces are in, and now it is time to cast your vote! Take a gallery tour below and vote for your favorites.
Each of the four categories will have a 1st place and a 2nd place winner. Winners will receive prizes, and all submissions will be showcased at our Young Hearts to Hearts in the Gardens exhibitions at the Heathcote Botanical Gardens in Fort Pierce on October 8 and at the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens on October 29. Voting ends at the last event on the 29, where we will also announce the winners. Mark your Calendar!
COLLEGE STUDENTS
CS1 – Evolving
Artist: Valerie
“My artwork, ‘Evolving’, is based on my self-compassion and my journey to self-love. During this pandemic, my senior year was not what I expected as well as many seniors this year. I started doubting myself and feeling insecure. Sometimes we feel guilty because the person we once were isn’t who we are now. When we evolve, we move out of alignment. Stand proud in who you are and honor your worth. That’s the message I was trying to go for in my art.
People often say that “life is not a bed of roses” and while others say that “There is no rose without a thorn”. But what I can interpret from my young adult life so far is that life is like a bed of roses, the difference is that some roses have their thorns cut off, and some don’t. Because that’s what life is like, a mixture of both happiness and sadness, joyousness and pain, love and disliking, and more. I am a rose with thorns and I love that.
In some Native American tribes, it is believed that the bull skull is a symbol of life-long protection and symbolizes the attributes of the bull, such as courage, toughness, and agility. I am like the bull. I am courageous and tough even though I feel like I am weak. I am enough.
The owl represents my wisdom (from my experiences), life lessons learned, good judgment, and knowledge.
I have been thought since a child that the dove represents peace and hope. For me, I found peace with myself. I am enough.
The man. Is the Archangel Michael. Before my journey to self-compassion and self-love, I have started losing my faith. Ever since I could ever remember I was always been fascinated with Michael. I always saw him as my guardian angel, protecting me and keeping my faith strong. He represents my faith.
‘Evolving’ demonstrates my journey of self-love and compassion.”
CS2 – Colorful Galaxy
Artist: Grayson
“I believe that there are a lot of incredible people who are being suppressed by the pandemic and corrupt and violent people and I too have been dealing with these hard times like everyone else so I wanted to represent the kind and peaceful souls as the colorful galaxy world; it may not be perfect and there are dark parts throughout that represent the hardships and separation that we have had to deal with but the majority of the world is full of color which is meant to represent hope, creativity and happiness. The cloud dragon that is protecting it is meant to represent all of the brave people who have stood up for themselves and others in an attempt to protect the innocent and beautiful minds that are constantly striving to reach a more peaceful and loving future.”
CS3 – Found Family
Artist: Francesca
“A few of the words inspired me to create this image. Love, friendship, compassion and my experience finding a “found family” in my college community. Not everyone is treated with love and connection with their blood family. Sometimes that community is found by the friends you meet along the way. The Guardian of the forest cherishes the girl, as they work together to protect it and survive.”
HIGH SCHOOLERS
HS1 – Class.kra
Artist: Noelia
“My artwork is depicting how students and teachers feel comfortable, or feel at home with each other, at school. It also shows how the students are acting friendly towards one another, and they are being themselves. Most students often go to school to either find closure, or love, they can’t find at home. With 2020 being how it is, some of those students aren’t able to go to school and get that closure.”
HS5 – Be Kind
Artist: Nikki
“Depicted in my art I show girls all being kind and friendly. No matter what we look like on the outside we can all be friendly and kind. Its what’s inside our hearts that matter. We all can strive to be better more caring people.”
HS2 – Friends
Artist: Alexandria
“My artwork depicts that even the most unlikely of creatures can become friends.”
HS6 – Happiness
Artist: Niema
“This is an art piece I created called Happiness. The piece features both a girl and a boy swimming on a nice summer day. The piece is meant to capture the happiness a person can feel when they are spending time with someone they love and are comfortable with, whether it be swimming in a pool with them or just simply leaning against them.”
HS3 – Love Yourself
Artist: Triniti
“To represent peace and a reminder to love yourself, from someone that inspires me.”
HS7 – Endearing Mutuality
Artist: Zoey
“This piece, which I have decided to call “Endearing Mutuality,” represents what is likely one of the truest human expressions of love: touch. Although in this particular frame the two hands are not yet touching, the reflection of contrasting colors that seem to draw the two hands together displays a gravity that pulls them towards each other, deepening the connection between them. The bottom hand is offering up a flower to the upper hand representing peace and understanding and in other ways a friendly gesture. Altogether, this painting, inspired partially by the social reform that we have witnessed recently in the United States, is meant to show that through kindness, patience, and compassion, love can transcend color.”
HS4 – He Gives Joy
Artist: Serena
“This is a drawing of my little brother. I choose to draw him because no matter what happens he has been there for me through so much. He creates a joy in my life when my days are down. Especially during these times, I wouldn’t wish the world without him.”
HS8 – Just a Little Love
Artist: Tatianna
“During quarantine, I spent a lot of time doing finger-art on my phone. The title of this piece is “Just a Little Love” because that’s really all we need.”
MIDDLE SCHOOLERS
MS1 – Family
Artist: Corbin
“A family at the beach watching a sunset.”
MS5 – Good Friends
Artist: Caitlin
“Good friends will be there with you through any obstacles you may face.”
MS9 – Friendship
Artist: Konner
“My artwork is based on my two different prodigy characters, both being boys. I made the boy on the right look like a character from an anime that I watch. And the character on the right how I would want to be in the game. They are both friends and I wanted to show friendship.”
MS13 – Distance Love
Artist: Meisha
“Showing grandpa and grandma love by keeping our physical distance during COVID.”
MS2 – Global Friendship
Artist: Aislynn
“This drawing represents my friends’ avatars and me in a game we play called “Sky Children of the Light”. Some friends I knew in real life and some were made online. The game has made it possible for us to become much closer as a group of friends even though we live all over the world!”
MS6 – For Mom
Artist: Haidyn
“I drew this picture of Snoop for my mom with colored pencils.”
MS10 – Spread Love
Artist: Megan
“Share the Love.”
MS3 – Quarantine Party
Artist: Kenadie
“A one-person party.”
MS7 – Connection
Artist: Kiana
“This was inspired by a video game centered around Androids trying to prove that they are human. Those drawing represents two Androids connecting and sharing memories to better understand each other. This connection was also used to free Android that hasn’t yet realized their potential beyond being servants and the story was a huge inspiration to me.”
MS11 – Good Vibes
Artist: Moises
“I drew this picture because it resembles the sunshine state through this smiling sun. The peace sign and the pencil that the sun has represents the positivity we should have when returning back to school.”
MS4 – Better with Friends
Artist: Lillianna
“This artwork is about my friends teaching me about sky. Aisy showed me sky and told me how to play, error taught me how to play music, sunshine showed me the beauty of the game, faulty showed me secrets and glitches, and Sammy always made us laugh. These people made me enjoy my experience in this bad time. (Inspired by Thatgamecompany)”
MS8 – Never Give Up
Artist: Anna
“Never give up on your dreams.”
MS12 – Back Off COVID
Artist: Kayleen
“Healthcare workers helping to push COVID away.”
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLERS
