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1st Place Winner Ben Phosarath, Una Elem
2nd Place Winner Samson Gaynon, Bordeaux Elem 3rd Place Winner Nailah Raab, Gower Elem
Grand Prize Winners Named in 'Beautiful Nashville Says “NO!” To Trashville' Art Contest
Three 4th graders from Una, Bordeaux and Gower elementary schools have been named grand prize winners of the “Beautiful Nashville Says ‘NO’ to Trashville” art contest. Each grand prize winner received funds for their school’s art department, and their artwork -- along with 58 other winning entries from public elementary schools -- will be featured in Metro’s second annual citywide environmental education campaign.
Ben Phosarath of Una Elementary School is the first place winner; Samson Gaynon of Bordeaux Elementary Enhanced Option School is the second place winner, and Nailah Raab, Gower Elementary, third place winner. Their schools' art departments received $1,500, $1,000 and $500, respectively, for the top honors. In addition, Cassidy Webb of Granbery Elementary received an honorable mention, and another student, Luis Cruz of J.E. Moss, was a two-time winner, winning last year, as well. Thirty one public elementary schools participated this year.
The Beautiful Nashville Art Contest, a program for all Metro public elementary third and fourth graders, encourages students to care for the community environment and to express that commitment creatively through art. The effort is sponsored by Public Works, Metro Nashville Public Schools and Red River Service Corporation, Nashville’s largest waste collection service provider.
The truck with the first place winner's artwork was in the Nashville Gas Christmas Parade on Friday night, December 7th. On Saturday, December 8th, a public viewing of all trucks with winning artwork was held to provide an opportunity for the children and their families to see their art work and take photos beside their art. The trucks were parked on Titans Way, the street between LP Field and the Cumberland River.
At the viewing, Mayor Karl Dean presented the art department prize checks and an award certificate to the grand prize winners. In their remarks, he, Metro Arts Commission Director Noree Boyd and Billy Lynch, Public Works Director, all discussed the importance of art in schools and teaching children to be good environmental stewards.
The winning 61 entries in the contest will be displayed on the sides of city waste trucks through May 1, 2008, and will be seen by more than 9,000 people each day while the trucks are on their routes.