National Student Art Competition - Grades 4-8
Winner & Finalists
Grades 4-8 Winners
Gallery
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First Place
The Need to Mend
"The White House has a very rich and important history. From its construction in 1792, it has represented America, and our values as we know it. Unfortunately, as of late our country has been separated, and this painting represents that. Between the unjust murder of people of color to the problematic ideals that are still circulated today, I’m sure we can all reason that this is an issue. No matter your political opinion, or your race or ethnicity, the harsh truth is, we need to get better.”
Allie from Michigan -
Second Place
The Lasting American Legacy of the White House
“George Washington choosing the site of the White House and its construction with help from enslaved workers - this shows early White House history. First Ladies Abigail Adams, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Dolley Madison show strong characters in their roles. The nuclear arms treaty represents times of hope and future peace in foreign affairs. Sheep grazing on the lawn during the First World War shows Americans can have ingenuity. President Lincoln's funeral shows a hard time in United States. The White House still stands, representing a lasting legacy of America and its defining moments."
Kendra from Ohio -
Third Place
A Nation of Colors
“This drawing depicts the artwork of three different artists that have their work in the White House: Jacob Lawrence's The Builders, Albert Bierstadt's Butterfly, and Alma Thomas's Resurrection. The drawing is done with pencil, pen, and markers. It is split up into four different sections, each of which is the artist's patterns and one of the normal White House. I chose to use lots of colors because history has changed to become more diverse and inclusive.”
Morgan from Virginia
Grades 4-8 Finalists
Gallery
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Inspired Barque
“This ship painting is inspired by the Three-Master American Barque. The original artwork is located in the White House as a collection commissioned by Congress. Its' dedicated to J. Bennett, who was a British painter in America. I recreated this painting in my own style because I was wowed by the amount of mixture there is to the color. I exaggerated the colors to set the mood and emotion I saw in this piece. The original painting can be found here."
Britzayda from Kentucky -
America: the Past, Present, and the Future
“This artwork relates to White House history because it shows current and past events that occurred. My artwork has many different scenes, the first one shows people attending protests. The second scene with the vaccine represents COVID-19 and how doctors and people have taken care of the people living in America as we've developed a vaccine that is 94-95% effective. The White House has always been with us from 1792 to today, experiencing everything, with all of us.”
Connie from California -
The White House and Its Historical Gardens
“As much as I am impressed with the interior of the White House and its historical artifacts, I wanted my work to focus on the historical aspect begun as early as Washington and Jefferson, but further enhanced by the many First Ladies: The Gardens. In my artwork, I used the words of my story as the background. I then included items significant to my story. I know it is unconventional, but I hope you see that the Gardens are as much a part of the history of the White House as its interior.”
Madison from Florida -
Jackie O
“My drawing is a portrait of President John F. Kennedy's wife Jacqueline Kennedy- Onassis. I used a combination of drawing pencils so I could really focus on value ranges of the skin and hair. I think I did a good job with this portrait and I can honestly say I think it’s one of my best. This portrait relates to The White House History since Jackie Kennedy was founder of The White House Historical Association.”
Gabrielle from Alabama -
The Symbol of America
“My project symbolizes the White House, America and the free world. The pictures represent America and what it has done for the world. Instead of shying away from the most controversial actions of the United States, I am highlighting them because I believe that the worst moments in a nation's history are what define it. The pictures that I use are the good and bad times in American history. Also, the most influential people that were involved in those good and bad moments.”
Nathan from Texas -
Diversity
“In my piece, I portrayed the different colors, shapes, and symbols, as the diversity not only in our government but also in America as a whole. A more diverse government is a better representation for a diverse country of all ethnicities, races, and cultural identities. With the White House as a background, the kaleidoscope of vibrant colors depicts a diverse America.”
Sofia from Tennessee
