HP CultureFest hosted its inaugural student art competition this year for high schoolers who live in Highland Park ISD.
Young artists were challenged to submit works that captured elements of culture or a cultural experience that had impacted them. Entries were evaluated by a panel of judges.
Highland Park High School junior Chris Lu won first place in the competition. Her colorful character design was inspired by the cultural significance of flowers. White lilies, she explained, are found at both funerals and weddings, while marigolds can be used to symbolize passing, as well as joy and energy.
“I wanted to celebrate the diversity of the world,” Lu said, adding that there’s beauty in recognizing how symbols can be interpreted differently.
Other winning artists were:
James Hu – Second Place
Serena Liu and Xuanhe Zhang – Third Place (tie)
Sarah Murray, Eliza Miller, Constance Olvera Irigoyen, and Kate Bodwell – Honorable Mentions
