Each year the Sonoma Cultural and Fine Arts Commission conducts the Student Creative Arts Award program soliciting entries from Sonoma Valley residents between the age of sixteen and twenty-one who are studying visual, literary or performing arts. Applicants must submit a portfolio of their work and an essay explaining the role art has played in their life and what their plans are for continuing their artistic training. The Commission then meets personally with each applicant to discuss their goals and ambitions and to provide an opportunity for those students who are studying music or theater to perform.
This year the Commission received entries from students attending Sonoma Valley High School, Sonoma Academy, San Domenico High School, and the College for Creative Studies. The areas of interest included music, film production, animation, character design, puppet fabrication, interior and graphic design, and visual arts.
After conducting the interviews this year, the Commissioners were extremely impressed with the variety of talent displayed by the students. Selecting just one award recipient was a challenge and after lengthy discussion and consideration of all the talent, they took a vote and the outcome was to name Adie Valavanis the 2019 Student Creative Art Award recipient. Adie was chosen for her outstanding achievement in the area of animation, character design, and puppet fabrication. Adie attends the College for Creative Studies in Michigan and is studying animation. In her essay, Adie stated “I’ve made sure to never lose my sense of self in my art. That “self” makes up my interests, my experiences, and in general things that make me happy; I hope that if I have fun making my art, other people will have fund looking at it…”.
The Commission wishes to congratulate Adie on all she has accomplished and for being selected as this year’s major award winner. They will present her with a certificate of recognition and a check for $2,000 at an upcoming City Council meeting.
Due to the number of outstanding submissions, the Commission also awarded an Award of Merit to George Stewart for his outstanding achievement in film production; and an Award of Merit to Eden Llodra for outstanding achievement in the area of music.
All of the students who submitted entries are congratulated on their creativity and talent.
For more information, please visit the Student Creative Artist Award page. For Questions, contact Sonoma City Clerk, Rebekah Barr. Samples of Ms. Valavanis’ Artwork below and watch the following animations by Ms. Valavanis, Mile High Bub, The Unlucky Escape of the Princess and the Tailor and Catch our Smile: A History of Pacific Southwest Airlines.
