Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard and Leslie Webb, president of Carmel Green Initiative recognized the winners of the 6th annual Earth Hour – Earth Day art contest on Sunday, April 26th at the Carmel Clay Public Library. The art contest is hosted by Carmel Green Initiative in partnership with the City of Carmel, the Carmel Arts and Design District and the Carmel Clay Public Library to invite youth to make a personal pledge to save energy and to learn about earth stewardship and energy conservation through art. Over 600 youth submitted art entries.
“This community education initiative draws on the energy conservation message of Earth Hour and the earth stewardship message of Earth Day to emphasize the important connection between saving energy, saving money and caring for our beautiful blue planet,” said Webb. “We incorporate environmental education content from E.P.A. Energy Star Schools to inspire youth to save energy through simple actions such as turning off lights, the TV, and the computer when leaving the room. These are things kids can do.”
A panel of judges with backgrounds in art and nature select the winners. The district-wide finalists include Kindergartener, Sophie Collier from Mr. Lamie’s art class at Towne Meadow Elementary; 1st grader, Delaney Mishler, 2nd grader, Aleksa Aiello, and 5th grader, Gracie Fisher from Mrs. Rodriguez’ art class at Carmel Elementary; 3rd grader, Paxton Law from Forest Dale Recycling Club; 4th grader, Jordan Ice from Mrs. Donnelly’s art class at Orchard Park Elementary; and 6th grader Mackenzie Misterka from Creekside Middle School Girl Scout Troop #2658.
Semi-finalists and honorable mentions include: Alexandra Altenburg, Princesa Araujo, Zoe Baldauf, Kelsey Baldauf, Remi Billanti, Morgan Bishop, Rowan Brennan, Lilly Cathelyn, Elizabeth Clark, Abby Culver, Erin Cummins, Caroline Katterhenry, Sofia Kelley, Emma Kistler, Grace Kory, Sophie Liang, Allison Meyer, Lyric Meyer, Madeline Misterka, Katie Neglia, Adam Russell, Ethan Smith, Samantha Walz, Sydney Walz, Rylie Wilpolt, and Emma Young.
To celebrate environmental sustainability, the top entries are exhibited in the community at the Carmel Clay Public Library, Muldoon’s restaurant in the Arts & Design District, the Monon Center, and Whole Foods Market at Clay Terrace. Select artwork is also displayed on the CGI website. “Doing something simple is a powerful way to show you care about the planet and upcoming generations. We hope that the student’s artwork – with all their ideas about caring for the Earth – will inspire the community to live more sustainably.” said Webb. “CGI created the art contest to engage the community in a fun and creative activity that encourages energy savings at home, schools, congregations and businesses. We’re very grateful for the generous support from the community” said Webb.
“Carmel has worked hard to be a leader in the area of environmental responsibility with our many residential conservation programs and city-wide green initiatives,” said Mayor Brainard, who serves on the President’s Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resiliency. “My experience has been that reaching out to homeowners and businesses is not enough. We need to also support programs that extend a sense of responsibility to our planet’s youngest citizens. And the Carmel Green Initiative Art Contest does exactly that.”
The art contest is made possible thanks to broad support from the Carmel community. Thanks to students and scouts for their amazing artwork and to the teachers, parents, and Girl Scout leaders for working with our youth on this important environmental education program. Many thanks to Mayor Brainard, and judges Bob Shade from ArtSplash Art Gallery, Cathy Bauder from Inspire Studio Gallery, and Jordan Hill from Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation, and to volunteers: Maddie Adkins, Monica Cannaley, Stephanie Marshall, Cindy Muse, George Schenetzke , Dennis Shock, Uma and Sneha Vashistha, and Madelyn Zalon.
Additional partners and sponsors include City of Carmel, AlphaGraphics Carmel, Evan Lurie Gallery, Carmel Clay Public Library, Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation, Muldoon’s, the Arts & Design District, Whole Foods Market, Beth Maier Photography, Erika Woods Calligraphy and Graphic Design, Marie Reamer Fine Art Photographer, Joe’s Butcher Shop, Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, Earth Day Network, Earth Hour World Wildlife Fund, and Green Schools E.P.A.
For additional information, please visit www.carmelgreen.org and select Art Contest.
This release was submitted courtesy of the City of Carmel.
