Lawton, OK: Eisenhower Middle School (EMS) student Lency Simmons’s original art was chosen as one of seven winners selected to be printed and sent throughout Oklahoma.
The 8th-grade student’s art won the Oklahoma Alliance for Arts Education’s annual Bookmark Contest, which brings in entries from art students across the state. The contest “looks to inspire the minds of young artists in Oklahoma” by creating a bookmark design in response to the theme.
Lency said she was speechless when she found out she was a contest winner. She said she’s excited to have her work printed. She enjoyed the creative process while preparing her artwork, which features sisters.
“I wanted to make my art meaningful,’ Lency said. “These sisters are so different, but they're very close at the same time. Despite looking different, they still stay close to each other. That’s why their hair is intertwined.”
This year’s theme, “How has color and shapes influenced your perception of art,” was based on a quote by artist Georgia O’Keeffe: "I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for."
Lency’s art teacher, Sandra Dunn, said the young artist excels at EMS.
“Lency's art accomplishments this school year have been exceptional … I believe she will continue to make LPS proud in her high school career and beyond,” Dunn said.
The winners will have their designs printed on 2,000 bookmarks, distributed to libraries across Oklahoma, and presented to the Governor and other elected officials.