ITHACA, N.Y. — New York Agriculture in the Classroom (NYAITC) is proud to announce and honor the top student artist of the Art of Agriculture Contest. The challenge was to engage students in creating original art with the inspiration of the food and agriculture of New York State. Students were vying for the grand prize of having their art featured on an upcoming educational state map of food production, with the artistic impressions serving as map icons. Over one hundred budding artists from every corner New York State created over 1,000 unique pieces of agricultural themed art, and we are very pleased to announce the winner as Sarah Hofmeister of Stockbridge Valley Central School in Madison County.
A jury of NYAITC and professional artists from the View Arts organization were tasked with identifying young artists to display their works in the upcoming art exhibition “The Art of Agriculture”, as well as select one top artist. The winning artist’s work will become the digital icons for NYAITC’s new digital commodity map resource to be released in Spring of 2021.
To be considered for the top honor, students had to create 26 unique art pieces from a list of 26 commodities, food, and natural resources produced in New York State.
Through much deliberation, the jury identified Sarah Hofmeister, a junior at Stockbridge Valley Central School, as the winning artist for the Art of Agriculture Contest. Hofmeister will receive an individual and classroom prize package to include a ceremony at her school later this year to celebrate her great achievement. Erin Smith, agriculture teacher, and Sarah Bennati, art teacher, encouraged Hofmeister to share her art in this competition and for their engagement they will receive an aeroponic tower garden with a value of over $1,200. The judging panel agreed that, “Sarah’s work in pastels beautifully and accurately captured each agricultural commodity.”
Musricul Anwar (Brooklyn H. LaGuarida High School of Music and Art) and Emily Zheng (Brooklyn Technical High School), were selected as the two semifinalists. Anwar and Zheng will each receive an individual prize for their beautiful work and exceptional effort.
All three artists will have all their works displayed in the Art of Agriculture Student Exhibition at View Arts in Old Forge, NY. The exhibit will kick off with a live, virtual gallery opening on March 13, 2021 at 6pm via Facebook Live on NYAITC’s page.
New York Agriculture in the Classroom mission is to foster awareness, understanding, and appreciation of how we produce food and fiber, what we eat, and how we live, by helping educators, students, and their communities learn about and engage with agriculture and food systems.
–New York Agriculture in the Classroom
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