Once more with inspiration: Young artist wins int’l prize

Trisha Co Reyes’ winning poster TAKEN FROM LIONSCLUBS.ORG

MANILA, Philippines—Bringing honor to the country yet again, another Filipino student, high-school freshman Trisha Co Reyes, won an international art competition, topping the 24th Annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest.

Judges found the work of the 13-year-old student of the St. Stephen’s High School in Sta. Cruz, Manila, best captured the message of promoting love and peace around the world, which was what the contest was all about.

Reyes’ work bested 126 short-listed entries from 350,000 submissions from 60 countries.

Lions International said, in a statement posted on its website, Reyes’ work won “for its originality, artistic merit and portrayal of this year’s theme ‘Children Know Peace.’”

“In my painting, the hidden child is me. Exhibited are children from all over the world who have love, freedom, unity and peace,” Reyes said of her painting.

“We, children, can do our part by studying hard and planting trees to save and protect Mother Earth,” Reyes said.

The young artist interpreted world cooperation by juxtaposing symbols of peace—a dove, a ribbon of flags, children joining hands—in her trademark mix of colors and intricate details.

Reyes will go to New York, accompanied by her mother, Conchita, and sister Joselle Clarisse, to receive her $5,000 prize on March 16, the annual celebration of the partnership between Lions International and the United Nations.

Some 23 other entries will receive merit awards and $500 each. Winning posters will be showcased at the 95th Annual Lions Clubs International Convention in Busan, South Korea, organizers said.

Lions Clubs International is one of the world’s largest service organizations with some 1.35 million members from around the world. It established the annual art contest “to foster a spirit of peace and international understanding in young people worldwide.”

“Lions around the world believe in promoting peace and the importance of encouraging young people to think creatively,” said Lions Clubs International president Wing-Kun Tam in a statement.

Last year, Reyes’ painting in oil and watercolor, “Life in the Forests,” was chosen best from over four million entries to a children’s painting competition sponsored by the UN Environment Program and the global firm Bayer.