Seventh-grader Levi Yoder approached the Jefferson City Modern Museum of Art youth art contest's theme, "To Be Free," patriotically by creating an "Ameri-CAN-flag." However, the Lighthouse Preparatory Academy student's original vision of freedom has its own unique twist.
His large, detailed artwork using strategically painted and placed aluminum cans prompted contest judges to award Yoder the first-place $500 prize Thursday in the museum's inaugural youth art contest.
"When you see these professionals' artwork displayed in this museum and you look at this piece, it is of that caliber. I am so impressed with that creative thinking," said Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin, guest judge along with Cole County Presiding Commissioner Sam Bushman and News Tribune editorial cartoonist Jim Dyke. "All three of us are artists, and as artists to see this, we are like, 'Wow, that is such a cool concept.' I can't imagine coming up with that as an artist."
Yoder was among 130 fifth- through eighth-grade students who submitted original artwork based on the "To Be Free" contest theme last month, allowing the students to make their pieces in any size or using any medium.
"We had two local artists come in and screen the submissions to make sure they were based on the theme. Then they selected our 20 finalists," said Chris Duren, a museum docent who also helps manage the museum.
Their artistic interpretation and expression of the theme was a priority of the three judges when choosing the first-place winner and five young artists receiving honorable mention awards for $100 each.
"All of the young artists had good concepts of the theme 'To Be Free,' but I really enjoyed one piece that had a girl opening a jar to release a butterfly. You can tell (the artist) did not think about personal freedom but giving that freedom to something else," Dyke said. "That is a strong point for someone so young to make, and it's a big step to think about someone outside themselves."
Avery Doerhoff from St. Stanislaus School, Katie Ruffing and Eli Neff from Moreau Height Elementary, Jaden Frahm from Blair Oaks Middle School and Kelsey Wadley from Thomas Jefferson Middle School received honorable mention prizes. All displayed different "To Be Free" original themes, using acrylic and watercolor paint to mixed media creations. For Bushman, "Unlock Yourself" was an instant award-winning piece.
"I love her use of mixed media," he said. "Now knowing she was in fifth grade, this is just amazing. There is a level of complexity in this piece, and she did a fantastic job."
The 20 finalists' pieces were on display Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at the museum, with students, parents, teachers, friends and community members attending the open houses. The other finalists included Magdalena Hilty of Thomas Jefferson Middle School; Brooklyn Bell, Audrey Hawkins and Jillian Kipphut from Lewis and Clark Middle School; Olivia Forck, Reid Dudenhoeffer, Lydia Downing, Madilyn Rissmiller and Callianne Nilges from Blair Oaks Middle School; and Caitlin Fitzpatrick, Anna Imhoff, Sam Hentges, Alyssa Gipe and Marta Howard from St. Stanislaus School.
"We have really enjoyed the last two nights," Duren said Thursday. "We were able to explain our artists featured permanently in the museum, who have artwork at the Metropolitan Art Museum and Smithsonian."
Those artists, Thornton Dial and Purvis Young, sometimes used found pieces to create their original artwork, inspiring some of the youth art contest participants like Yoder, who had previously toured the museum previous on a school trip. Others turned in their work as a part of a class project, pulling their creativity from personal experiences or expression.
"They were in awe, learning that these artists (Dial and Young) have work in the Smithsonian and The Met. We encouraged them, saying, 'Keep going, be inspired and use your talents,'" she said. "Our artists faced many different types of adversity. We love sharing their stories with youth in our community and now watch these artists make their own stories. It is really inspiring."
Duren said the Jefferson City Museum of Modern Art plans to host additional opportunities for local modern artists in the future, including a high school art contest this fall. The youth art contest winners will be on display for the next few weeks at the museum. Tours are available by appointment. For more information, call 573-635-1114 or visit JCMOMA.com.