Gov. Asa and Susan Hutchinson recently hosted a reception honoring winners in the 2019 Governor’s Young Artist Competition.

It was held at the Governor’s Mansion in Little Rock. 

The annual statewide juried competition is sponsored by the Mansion Association and invites all public, private, charter and home-schooled students, in the ninth through 12^th grades to participate. According to Mrs. Hutchinson, the 2019 competition received almost 400 entries representing students from all four corners of Arkansas. Out of that number, approximately 100 students were selected to exhibit their works at the Governor’s Mansion during March and April. 

“Each year, the Governor and I are truly inspired by this competition,” she said. “The level of artistic talent exhibited by Arkansas’ young people is quite extraordinary, not to mention breathtaking. These young artists represent all four corners of our state, and they are amazing!” 

The First Lady also expressed appreciation to Entergy Arkansas for its continued support of the annual competition. For the third year in a row, the energy company issued a grant to the Mansion Association which was used to provide special awards to students. 

“I greatly appreciate Entergy for giving of its resources to advance and encourage the arts among Arkansas’ young people,” she said. “The long-term benefits of their generosity can truly not be measured.”

Recipients of special awards:

• Best Pencil Drawing – Maddie Baker, Vilonia High School
• Best Collage – Yenifer Mora, Searcy High School.
• Best Collage – Abby Yanosick, Mount St. Mary Academy
• Best Painting – Maggie Maddison, LR Christian Academy
• Best Watercolor – Elissa Carter, Vilonia High School
• Best Sculpture – Emma Otwell, LR Christian Academy
• Best Graphite Drawing – Mykha Hensley, Searcy High School
• Best Theme – Hannah Faulkner, Greene County Tech (Paragould)
• Association Award – Haley Chandler, Vilonia High School
• Judge’s Award – Caroline Gunderman, Mount St. Mary Academy
• First Lady’s Award – Alexandrea Bradke, Bryant High School
• Governor’s Award – Sheyenne Woodson, Greene County Tech (Paragould)