Students receive special recognition for their artwork in the Earth Day Art Contest sponsored by the US Embassy
On April 22, 2020, the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, that marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement. To many people, Earth Day is a unified response to an environmental crisis—oil spills, pollution, wildfires, and global warming, among others. To raise awareness of the dangers of climate change, the US Embassy in Brasilia promoted its annual Earth Day Art Contest with the theme ‘50 Years Earth Day 2020: Climate Action.’
Over three-hundred-sixty students from local international schools and the embassy community presented their works of art. Students sent their artwork reflecting the theme of Climate Action. Students were free to use whatever media they preferred, digital or mixed-media art, markers, crayon, watercolor, ink, pencil, acrylic, tempera paint, chalk, or colored pencils.
Students represented School of the Nations very well! Our students received thirteen awards for their artwork. A panel at the US Embassy judged entries based on creativity, originality, artistic expression reflecting the theme, relevancy to Brazil, and overall impression of the art and artistic composition.
Winners were chosen in four divisions according to grade level. Below is our list of winners and their awards.
Pre-Kindergarten through Kindergarten
2nd Place: Nina Pitanga (Kinder)
Honorable Mentions: Gabriel Farret (Pre-Kindergarten) and Sofia Gaensly (Pre-Kindergarten)
Grades 1 through 5
1st Place: Davi Castro (Grade 2)
3rd Place: Esther Peres (Grade 5)
Honorable Mentions: Bianca Poppius (Grade 3) and Lucas Barrigana (Grade 5)
Grades 6 through 8
2nd Place: Valentina Costa (Grade 7)
Honorable Mentions: Mariana Rego (Grade 7) and Maya Coimbra (Grade 7)
Grades 9 through 12
2nd Place: Ayaka Mizoto (Grade 10)
3rd Place: Fernanda Cardoso (Grade 12)
Honorable Mention: Stella Fernandes (Grade 11)
Our Arts department was proud of students and how they translated powerful climate action messages into creative and unique art.
“I was impressed by the depth of the students’ work. Their creativity and critical thinking were incredible,” said High School Art Teacher, Ms. Diana Bracarense.
In past years, the Earth Day Art Contest culminated with an awards ceremony at the Embassy. This year, because of social distancing, an online ceremony was held for students, their families, and teachers. At the end of the ceremony, art teachers briefly shared their own and their students’ experience with the Earth Day art contest.
“Within a context of social isolation, the arts are often our refuge. The arts become even more relevant when they come from a deep reflection about the world we live in and what we want for our future. Contests like this help not only to motivate students but also to promote their work and ideas,” says Ms. Maira Figueiredo, Middle School Arts Teacher.
Protect the Environment
Education is essential to the global response to climate change. It helps us understand and address the impact of global warming, increases “climate literacy” among young people, and encourages changes in attitudes and behavior.
Ms. Debora de Oliveira, Early Childhood Art teacher, says initiatives such as these promoted by the US Embassy are especially important to younger students.
“In childhood, we learn values and behaviors that accompany us into adulthood and define us as citizens. Therefore, it is important to promote students’ awareness and interest in preserving and protecting the environment while they are young.”