Water Art 2017 Makes a Splash

Kailee Leeser of Osbourn Park High School took home the Grand Prize in the Prince William County Service Authority’s annual Water Art Invitational held March 9 at the Raymond Spittle Building in Woodbridge.

The event theme “Water is Precious and Essential to Life” was articulated beautifully in Leeser’s joyful black and white charcoal image of a boy’s water-soaked face. To capture the happiness that clean water can bring, Leeser drew inspiration from seeing a boy from a Third World country on television.

“I always see kids in these countries on the news, and it makes me really sad to see their situation,” said Leeser. 

The Service Authority awarded 26 other students for their outstanding work. Nicholas Bartolotto, PACE East, won first place in Painting & Drawing while Samantha Gibbs of Forest Park and Battlefield’s Alyson Piccione were victorious in the Photography and Digital Design categories, respectively. PACE East art teacher Linda Ann Dickey said this year marked the first time in her 12 years at the alternative school that a student had entered the competition.

Halle Strosser and Camryn Simms of Patriot High School earned second and third place, respectively, in the Painting & Drawing while Battlefield’s Hallie Robinson and Forest Park’s Abigail McKinney-Odasso finished second and third in the Photography category.

Rebecca Miller and Erin Murray of Battlefield High School took second and third place, respectively, for Digital Design.

2016 Grand Prize Winner Khanh Nguyen of Battlefield was one of 19 General Manager Award winners for her submission in the Painting & Drawing category. Battlefield and Patriot High Schools earned the most awards with eight apiece.

Thanks to the generosity of our 26 sponsors, the Service Authority awarded more than $6,000 in cash prizes to students and teachers with $800 going to Leeser for winning the Grand Prize. With 179 entries overall and more than 150 attendees, this year’s event was wildly successful.

“The Water Art Invitational is an amazing showcase of the artistic talent we have here in Prince William County,” said Karen Takacs, Service Authority Community Relations & Outreach Manager. “I want to thank the students, teachers, judges and sponsors for making this year’s event one to remember.”