In a vibrant celebration of artistry and tradition, OVS 12th grader Allyanna Westcott was crowned the winner of the school’s annual Lunar New Year Greeting Card contest, providing an depiction of a mythical dragon that not only captivated the judges, but also the spirit of the school’s new year celebration.
Allyanna’s winning entry impressed the committee with her meticulous attention to detail and stunning use of color.
“We were really impressed with her use of color, the tiny details in the dragon scales and the way she incorporated the 2024 numerals in the dragon’s talons,” said Tracy Wilson, the school’s director of admission and advancement. “Dragons are especially fun because they are powerful, mythical creatures and Allyana captured their spirit in her drawing.
“I was overwhelmed by the creative work of so many students,” Ms Wilson added. “But in the end, it was Allyanna who was voted ‘Top Dragon.’ ”
Allyanna shared insight into her artistic process and inspiration. She described her favorite aspect of her work, saying that she emphasized the texture of the dragon’s legs, painstakingly creating them to be both stumpy and rounded, infusing the creature with life and personality.
Inspired by dragons depicted in different styles on the Internet, Allyanna expressed her delight in exploring new avenues of art and pushing the boundaries of creativity.
“I looked up a lot of dragons painted in similar styles online,” she said. “I liked being able to paint in a style I had never used before.”
Allyanna’s artistic journey doesn’t stop with this year’s win; having participated in the Lunar New Year production three times, she reflected on her growth and experience with this tradition: from the Ox in ninth grade to the Dragon this year, Allyanna’s dedication to her art shone through and was recognized and admired by many.
Regarding the importance of traditions in the school community, Allyanna acknowledges their role in fostering creativity and unity. Allyanna appreciates the way the illustrations inspire exploration and interest in cultural celebrations such as Chinese New Year.
“I like this tradition because it forces me to explore themes and styles that I wouldn’t normally use,” she said. “It also brings attention and interest to Chinese New Year and the Lunar New Year cards.”
This is a great way to learn about other cultures and share them with the community. It is also a great opportunity for each student to showcase his or her unique creativity.
“This is always a fun project,” Ms. Wilson said. “We love celebrating the Lunar New Year as a community. This is also such a fun way to celebrate the visual arts at OVS!”