The State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia recently announced the winners of its 2026 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 – Sarah Xing, Pope High School, Marietta
Sarah Xing’s work is entitled “Cacao Tree in the Garden.” The piece was inspired by Xing’s visits to the State Botanical Garden, where they enjoy watching the tree’s fruit grow and change over time.
“In this piece, I combine detailed botanical study with a larger garden landscape, focusing on the cacao pods, leaves and their natural setting,” said Xing. “Through this work, I aim to show both the structure of the plant and my personal connection to the garden.”
The piece was primarily created with colored pencil and a micron pen to add detail.
“Although the cacao tree originates from tropical regions, seeing it thrive in the garden creates a unique connection between global plant life and my local environment,” said Xing.
2nd place – Sochi Pham, Chamblee High School, Chamblee
Sochi Pham’s work, “The Harmony,” was inspired by a visit to the State Botanical Garden’s Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum. Pham’s artwork depicts a sculpture in the museum called “Blue Jays and Berries,” made by David Fryer Studios.
“I was impressed by the harmony of the artwork, how it defined the beauty of nature,” said Pham.
3rd place – Jenny Trinh, University of Georgia, Hometown: Norcross
“Somewhere You’ll Return” by Jenny Trinh depicts the State Botanical Garden throughout the seasons and was created using oil pastels on canvas.
“To me, it is an accumulation of years spent returning to the same place, where time does not pass in a straight line, but in cycles of color, temperature, and feeling,” said Trinh. “This place is not only about nature, but it is about people, too. It is a hidden gem, yet never truly hidden, and is shared by many, understood differently by each.”
Honorable mentions for this year’s competition include:
- Laura Elliott Alexander, Athens Academy, Athens, “Lily Pads”
- Tithi Sutradhar, McClure Health Science High School, Duluth, “Midnight Blossoms”
“Each year, it is exciting to see how students across the state of Georgia are inspired by and depict the State Botanical Garden through their artwork,” said the garden’s Director, Jenny Cruse-Sanders. “I am always impressed by the talent and creativity of our Student Art Competition participants, and this year is no different.”
For more information about the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, a unit of UGA Public Service and Outreach, visit botgarden.uga.edu.
