2025 Prize Winners

First Place

Axel Genova -- "Untitled"

This portrait is of my sister, but it’s not just about how she looks—it’s about what most people don’t see. I wanted to capture the quiet weight she carries every day. On the outside, she seems calm and put together, but I’ve seen the moments when she’s overwhelmed, even if she doesn’t show it. The lighting in the piece is soft, but there’s tension in her expression and posture—something just beneath the surface. That contrast is important to me. It shows how someone can look fine while dealing with something much heavier inside. I painted her not just as my sister, but as a reminder that people around us are often going through more than we know. This piece is about empathy. It helped me understand her better, and I hope it makes others think more deeply about the people they love. Everyone has their own private battles, and sometimes, art is a way to make space for what goes unspoken.

Comments from Judges

Kelly Murphy: I think this is a stunning soulful portrait with a wonderful, heavy paint stroke. You've done a beautiful job placing depth, focus, and intent in her eyes - while she looks out just beyond the viewer. The closeness of the composition pulls us uncomfortably close to her as a stranger, but it forces empathy out of the viewer through her glare. Powerful emotions. Masha Ryskin: Very expressive portrait, great use of paint and colors in the face Jason Brockert: love the relationship between portrait and background. It gives a great sense of space and light and adds to the somewhat melancholy expression. Emma Hogarth: I am struck by the emotional resonance of this work. The portrait captures and conveys every layer of the emotional depth described in the artist's statement - a rare and impressive accomplishment for a young artist. I am particularly struck by the care and directness expressed in this work. I feel like I know the subject closely through this portrait. The use of light and shadow, active brush marks and the tight framing of the face, express a complexity and closeness of experience. The slight upward angle of the eyes, looking back the viewer, portray a palpable vulnerability. Overall, and outstanding work of subtlety, complexity and power. Mariela Yeregui: I value the technical handling in this piece, but above all, I admire the remarkable skill in capturing the expressiveness of the gaze. The eyes here do more than simply depict — they communicate, inviting the viewer into an intimate exchange that transcends the image itself. This sensitivity to expression elevates the work beyond technical accomplishment, allowing it to resonate on a deeply human level.

Second Place

Eva Cusano -- "Divine Judgement"

I grew up in a world both heavily religious and heavily political. However, I never desired to be a part of any religion, I never desired to dwell on the endless political struggles and conflicts that arose in America. In this piece, I sought to depict my own perspective of religion in a nationalistic America. Me and my two siblings rejected politics and religion despite having close family that were very religious. When people like myself and my siblings choose to walk away from that life of weaponized religion we’re often seen as sinners that are “going to hell”. Despite this I wanted to show that I have no fear of what might or might not happen because I chose to reject religion. I would rather walk through the flames other people condemn upon me then kneel to a god that has been weaponized by a nation for their political benefit.

Comments from Judges

Jason Brockert: I really appreciate the interpretation of a concept into an almost quilt like pattern. That feels both heavy and beautiful at the same time. For me, the only question would be how the church sits within that quiltlike space. It sits somwhat far out of the space overwhelms slightly the beautiful patchwork of shapes and symbols. That may be the point, but I wish we had more of a chance to explore visually what is a lovely piece. Masha Ryskin: This painting takes a lot of great risks.

Third Place

Nadia Bandy -- "Dreamscape"

This piece was created for a show surrounding identity as a theme. I used surrealism to explore my personal identity as an artist in this piece. I have been creating art for a long time and it has become a large part of my life. This piece was meant to depict the creative process from my perspective using elements of surrealism, with myself at the center painting the dream-like scene surrounding me.

Comments from Judges

Kelly Murphy: Really ambitious surrealism in this image. I appreciate the picture in a picture element, and the skillful play of pattern. Masha Ryskin: Good complex composition, the piece pulls the viewer in. Jason Brockert: Beautiful execution on all of the "things" in this piece. I. Think the sky is the only thing holding it back slightly, as it doesn't feel as believable as your objects do. Tucker Houlihan: Very talented. Anonymous Professor: Arch and two columns frame the composition and moves from dark to light, reading left to right, to help contain the various surrealist elements.