The Youth Clinic has announced three winners of its ‘Words Matter’ community art contest – as part of the clinic’s ongoing Positivity Project initiative. As part of the contest, the winners’ art submission is on display at area businesses, and each received a $200 cash prize.
The contest sought to engage the community to focus on sharing positivity through art and language by inviting local children and youth to submit artwork during the summer of 2020. Northern Colorado children and youth were invited to submit on their own, or as a group, and submissions were accepted online in any digital format. All submissions were required to include a positive message.
All selected winning art submissions have been transformed into on-site art displays at multiple area businesses, including Clothes Pony & Dandelion Toys, Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park, The Cupboard, and Fly High Trampoline Park.
In celebration of National Positivity Day, The Youth Clinic announced three contest winners, including:
Siratan Wongsathapornchai, Lesher Middle School – 7th grade
“This picture represents that words can cause many emotions to people. The left side represents all the consequences that might happen if you say negative things, and the right side represents all the outcomes that might happen when people say positive things to others. This image came to my mind because I realized people can say good and bad things to others that may cause different outcomes.”
Aidan Scully, Poudre High School – 9th grade
“I thought my art would be an inspiring message for everyone in the world to share. I included words of encouragement because I thought hearing those words myself would make each day even better and better. I drew the hand in a colorful peace sign to symbolize peace between ALL people.”
Erin Cannady, Ridgeview Classical Schools – 8th grade
“I think that my art is inspiring because I think that it shows that beauty can be found everywhere. In a hummingbird, a flower, and people. A lot of people, my age, older, and younger, feel like they aren’t pretty enough. It also doesn’t help that people encourage that feeling with what is “cool” and what is not good enough. I think that my painting can show that beauty is everywhere, even if it is hard to find. It can be found in people, in animals, and in nature. I think that we just have to look a little harder to find it than just looking at the surface.”
The Youth Clinic was motivated to launch a community-focused initiative to act as a positive outlet and reinforcement geared toward area children and youth. To kick off the initiative, The Youth Clinic launched the ‘Words Matter’ art contest and plans for future iterations of its Positivity Project in the coming months.
“We have cared for generations of area youth for 50 years and take pride in our role as both a partner and resource to parents in the development of their children,” says Larry Mortensen, Executive CEO of The Youth Clinic. “The Positivity Project is a way for us to display our commitment to the community and those we serve while engaging and inspiring others to do the same.”