The Los Alamitos Recreation and Community Services Department recently hosted the 9th annual Weekend of Art event, which welcomed artists of all ages. The event was held on March 16 and 17, 2024, in the Multi-Purpose Room at Oak Middle School.
Recreation Coordinator Cassidy Figueroa, led this year’s extraordinary two-day event. Generous donations were received from Forest Lawn, Ganahl Lumber, and Art Supply Warehouse. This visual and performing arts exhibition showcased 11 different mediums of art, including stage performances by the Department’s Lil’ Oak Preschool Program and various local dance groups. The event was presented by the Los Alamitos Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Commission and partnered with the Los Alamitos Unified School District.
Awards and certificates were given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners for the 10 categories, including a new older adult category for two-dimensional and three-dimensional awards.
In addition, a select few were able to win special categories, which included the Mayor’s Award, Commissioner’s Award, and People’s Choice Award. The panel of judges consisted of members from the Los Alamitos City Council and the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Commission.
Award Winners:
DISTINGUISHED AWARDS: Mayor’s Award: 1st place – Laura Dickey – Distant Home Commissioner’s Award: 1st place – Joanna Yan – My Daughter People’s Choice Award: 1st place – Elinor Goode – Washing Ashore TWO DIMENSIONAL AWARDS: Elementary Division (Pre-K-5th grade) Awards: 1st-3rd place 1st Place: Kaily Shigekuni – Save the Ocean 2nd Place: Grant Zhang – I Choose to See Good 3rd Place: Ariel Reid – Growth
Middle School Division (6th-8th grade) Awards: 1st-3rd place 1st Place: Malia Tandiama – Princess Jellyfish 2nd Place: Emily Woo – Somewhere Over the Rainbow 3rd Place: Emily Woo – The Eye is the Window to the Soul High School Division (9th-12th grade) Awards: 1st-3rd place 1st Place: Rachel Kim – Nature Whispers to Us 2nd Place: Phyllisia Rosen – Mae Jemison 3rd Place: Rachel Kim – My Bygove Youtu Adult (High School Graduate+) Division Awards: 1st-3rd place 1st Place: Minh Bissett – Banh Mi Market 2nd Place: Elizabeth Pearson – Tiki Sunset 3rd Place: Emeline Noda – Garden Rose Older Adult (60+)
Division Awards: 1st-3rd place 1st Place: John Peterson – Carmen 2nd Place: Tricia Alexander – Shopping with Mommy 3rd Place: Liz Dorn – San Francisco Afternoon THREE DIMENSIONAL AWARDS: Elementary Division (Pre-K-5th grade) Awards: 1st-3rd place 1st Place: Sadie Harris – Hope 2nd Place: Annmarie Ewing – Extravagant Rainbow 3rd Place: Katelyn Ewing – Brilliant Beach Bear Middle School Division (6th-8th grade) Awards: 1st-3rd place 1st Place: Leina Hsu – Red Cardinal 2nd Place: Hannah Hargis – Animal Mask 3rd Place: Stella Woods – Phases of the Moon High School Division (9th-12th grade) Awards: 1st-3rd place 1st Place: Kayley Amador – Glob of Life 2nd Place: Ryley Kuhlendahl – Sehnsucht Wood Burning 3rd Place: Kayley Amador – Pancakes Anyone?
Adult (High School Graduate+) Division Awards: 1st-3rd place 1st Place: Priscilla Vincent – I Love You
2nd Place: Christopher Hawkins – The Tides of Timber Older Adult (60+) Division Awards: 1st-3rd place 1st Place: Janet Gallagher – Solitude (Castle) 2nd Place: Joan Flax – San Francisco Sunrise 3rd Place: Kevin Boylan – Manta Tray
With approximately 600 visitors, the room was filled with buzzing excitement. The event continued to promise a space for young, aspiring artists, thanks to a fruitful partnership with the Los Alamitos Unified School District’s PTA Reflections Program. The Recreation and
Community Services Department had worked tirelessly with local schools to highlight students’ work, resulting in an impressive 300 submissions. Adults and children alike were delighted to discover a host of exciting activities. The art installations and live stage performances were the main highlights of the event, but what truly elevated the experience for families were the free face painting and art & craft workshops.
The event also featured guest speaker Hilda Sramek who gave an inspirational speech about the artist Carla Sramek and how her life with a disability never stopped her from pursuing her dreams.For those keen on exploring art and craft vendors, there were eight different options to choose from, alongside three delectable food vendors. This event was a wonderful showcase of the amazing talent hidden within the community. As the event grows more successful each year, local artistic appreciation has become a highlight of the Department’s first event of the year.
