The Carmel Cortona Sister City Organization has announced the winners of two exceptional contests that not only have showcased the remarkable talent of the community but also have forged cultural and artistic connections between Carmel and Sister City Cortona, Italy.
These contests, one on an international stage and the other a response to a request from Cortona, have enriched the artistic landscape of both cities.
Sister Cities International sponsors Young Artist and Author’s Showcase (YAAS) winners. The YAAS contest theme this year was “Piece by Peace: Food Security in My Community.”
All local winners submitted their works for the international competition. The Carmel Cortona Sister City Organization said that the International Sister City Organization selected one of these entries, a poignant poem authored by Sara Standish titled “A Rumbling Stomach,” as the Grand Prize Winner in her category. Her words not only resonated with the judges but also shed light on a pressing global issue, emphasizing the power of art and literature to raise awareness.
To view all the winning entries, including Standish’s poem, visit yaas2024.org/2023-yaas-winners.
Luca Signorelli Art Contest
This year, the City of Cortona honored its local Italian Renaissance artist, Luca Signorelli, on the 500th anniversary of his death. One aspect of this celebration was a contest in which Cortona students were requested to submit artwork in the style and technique of Senor Signorelli. The city of Cortona requested that Carmel teens also submit their artwork.
Consequently, the Carmel-Cortona organization held a contest sponsored by Joe’s Butcher Shop and the City of Carmel and invited all teens to submit artwork, using the same parameters. Independent judges were asked to select the winning artwork.
The winners are:
- Ella Lipnik – First Place: Arienne’s Silken Glare
- Megan Xia – Second Place: Tradition
- Ismail Kheiri – Third Place: Watertide in Tuscany
(From left) Arienne’s Silken Glare by Ella Lipnik, Tradition by Megan Xia, Watertide in Tuscany by Ismail Kheiri. (Art provided)
The creators of these stunning works of art were presented with cash prizes during Carmel’s International Arts Festival. The community to join in celebrating the artistic achievements of these talented individuals. The Carmel Clay Public Library currently has two of the originals and one rendering on display in the children’s section of the library.
These three art pieces were also exhibited in the Museo dell’Accademia Etrusca (MAEC) in Cortona, Italy, along with works from Cortona students and Signorelli’s original works of art. The exhibition in Cortona included more than 40 pieces by Signorelli that were on loan from prestigious international museums and private collections.
In response to the artwork submitted by Carmel, the Cortona students created a touching video that explains the significance of Signorelli and his work to the City of Cortona. In their video, they included the Carmel students’ artwork. Click here to watch the video on YouTube.
The Carmel Cortona Sister City Organization continues to foster cultural exchange and artistic collaboration between the two cities, strengthening the bond of friendship and understanding.
For more information about the contests, winners, or upcoming events, please email cortonacarmel@gmail.com.