CINCINNATI, OH (August 2, 2018) – The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center has announced the winners of the fourth annual 2018 Toyota Picture Freedom Art Contest and will hold a ceremony to honor the participants on Saturday, August 11 from 1 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. The Picture Freedom Art Contest is a nationwide student art competition sponsored by Toyota that challenges students to create works of art capturing America’s struggle for inclusive freedom and equality, drawing connections from the Underground Railroad to the Civil Rights Movement to the modern day fight against slavery.
"It is an honor to recognize the winners of this contest and see how the next generation perceives equality and inclusiveness in art,” says Christopher Miller, Director of Education for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. "It is through their work that we are inspired to continue in the ongoing fight for freedom for everyone."
The grand prize winner of the contest is Ava Davis of Power Academic and Performing Arts Complex in Jackson, Mississippi, winning a $3,500 scholarship award with her piece “Happy Without Restraints”. The second place winner, Ashley Platt of Lakeside High School in Ashtabula, Ohio wins a $3,500 scholarship award with her piece “Terminus”. Finally, third place winner Sydney Posey, of Winton Woods High School in Cincinnati, Ohio is awarded a $3,500 scholarship award from his piece “Labels”. Hotel, flight and food accommodations are also included for the top three winners to visit Cincinnati for the opening of the Picture Freedom exhibit which will showcase their work through February 2019. Contestants who placed fourth and after will receive a $100 scholarship. Those contestant are:
Ronnia McKenzie
Fly! Fly! Fly!
Cincinnati, OH.
Bianca Pearson
Chained Freedom
Cincinnati, OH.
Mariza Diaz
Fate Free All
Winton Woods High School
Cincinnati, OH.
Jack Sewell
Release
Power Academic and Performing Arts Complex
Jackson, MS.
Danyang Yue
Straddled
Indian Hill High School
Cincinnati, OH.
RJ Engleman
Black Lives Matter
Winton Hills High School
Cincinnati, OH.
Princess Dyer
I Am Me
Winton Hills High School
Cincinnati, OH.
Desmond Young
Eternal Freedom
Power Academic and Performing Arts Complex
Jackson, MS.
D’Andre Warren
Untitled
Virtual High School
Cincinnati, OH.
The 2018 Toyota Picture Freedom Art Contest awards ceremony recognizing the Picture Freedom finalists is this Saturday, August 11, 2018 at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. The 2018 Picture Freedom Art Contest is sponsored by Toyota. This event is included with general admission and open to the public. Visit freedomcenter.org for more information.