The State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia recently announced the winners of its 2025 Student Art Competition.
The competition, funded by The J.A. and H.G. Woodruff Jr. Charitable Trust and the Friends of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, is open to students in 9th grade and above, including college students attending school full- or part-time in Georgia.
This competition is sponsored to select original artwork that may be used to create signature items for sale at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia gift shop, such as note cards, T-shirts, scarves and mugs. Winning artwork may also be used on the garden website, brochures and promotional materials.
This year’s winners are:
1st place – Maanas Kudrimoti, Chamblee High School
Maanas Kudrimoti’s work is entitled “A New Day at the Garden.” The piece represents Kudrimoti’s childhood memories of visiting the botanical garden. It includes one of Kudrimoti’s favorite flowers, the black-eyed Susan, and hallmarks of Georgia, including the state butterfly, the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, and state flower, the Cherokee Rose.
The piece was made with ink after Kudrimoti sketched the design in pencil.
“The idea is that the butterfly is flying into a new day at the botanical garden, ready for a fresh new adventure every day,” said Kudrimoti.
2nd place – Aise Arpinar, Oconee County High School
Aise Arpinar’s work, “Children’s Joy,” was also inspired by visiting the botanical garden as a child. The artwork was created using colored pencils, India ink and acrylic paint pens.
“This wooden tunnel represents the entry into that playground area, and my cherished memories of having fun with my family,” said Arpinar.
3rd place – Valeria Francia, Tucker High School
“Flourishing in the Sunlight” by Valeria Francia is inspired by flowers that grow and thrive to become beautiful.
The work was created based on photos Francia took, translated through acrylic paints.
“The sunlight reflecting and the light rays beaming through the petals, creating vast amounts of colors and tones all around me,” Francia said.
Honorable mentions for this year’s competition include:
- Skye Chandler, University of Georgia, “Dandelions, Bulldogs and Bees”
- Georgia Cross, Lassiter High School, “A Light for the Endangered”
“I am always so impressed by the art competition submissions we receive, and this year is no different,” said the garden’s director, Jenny Cruse-Sanders. “We are thrilled that we can share these students’ artwork with our visitors, and I thank everyone who submitted their work in the competition.”
For more information about the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, a unit of UGA Public Service and Outreach, visit botgarden.uga.edu.
