Led by their graphic design teacher, John Soto, a New World School of the Arts college visual arts alumnus, three students from the NWSA high school visual arts program were selected winners of the 2022 Baynanza art competition. The first-place winning artwork will be featured in Baynanza’s 40th Anniversary commemorative t-shirt, which will be worn across the county by thousands of volunteers during the clean-up initiatives in March and April 2022. In addition, all the contest entries are planned to be featured in a B&W coloring book to highlight the county’s work on saving the bay.
“It brings me joy to know that the student’s artwork for Baynanza will have a positive impact on our community. Guiding and teaching our talented students at NWSA to fulfill their creative vision through art and design is an honor. Their dedication to the visual arts program and commitment to learn allows for opportunities like these to flourish,” said John Soto, NWSA visual arts faculty.
The New World School of the Arts contest winners will be announced during the kick-off of Baynanza during a reception at Vizcaya in February, where the complete class of NWSA participants, comprised of fourteen young student artists, have been invited to attend along with a parent and their teacher and Dean of the visual arts division, O. Gustavo Plascencia.
“The students conveyed the message of Biscayne Bay incredibly well and translated the environmentally sensitive ways the Bay is important in diverse ways, the likes of which we have not seen or had before in our art contest,” said James Duncan, Special Projects Manager.
Baynanza was established in 1982 as a celebration of Biscayne Bay, highlighting its significance as one of the most important ecological systems in South Florida. Celebrated throughout March and April each year, Baynanza culminates with the Biscayne Bay Cleanup Day where thousands of volunteers gather to help clean up the bay’s shoreline to help keep beaches and waterways clean and habitable for wildlife.
In addition to the kick-off reception, the action-packed community-wide celebration of environmental awareness will host a VIP event in April, at Morningside Park, where the three winners will also be recognized.
A Florida center of excellence in the visual and performing arts, New World School of the Arts is an educational partnership of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami Dade College, and University of Florida. NWSA provides a comprehensive program of artistic, creative, and academic development through a curriculum that reflects our community and the rich multicultural state of Florida. Through our partners NWSA confers the high school diploma, Associate of Arts degree, and Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Music degrees in programs accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance, Music, Theater and Art & Design. NWSA’s rigorous eight-year curriculum and conservatory-style teaching has empowered students in our community and our nation to become leaders in the arts for more three decades.
Information about New World School of the Arts at 305-237-3135 or nwsa.mdc.edu.