Colors, Canvas and the Firefly Fling
RACA announces the winning artists in advance of the April 21 event.
The annual Firefly Fling is all about art, lights, color and a festive atmosphere.
So it’s only fitting that ahead of its popular annual fundraiser, the Rome Area Council for the Arts hosted a student art competition which yielded pieces that are as bright and eclectic as the event itself.
Local high school students were invited to submit two-dimensional artwork in the theme of the event.
The pieces captured color, light and movement. Some demonstrated a dazzling use of color while others illustrated the festive community atmosphere.
Some students emphasized people frolicking and dancing while others concentrated on the views of downtown Rome.
Kiana Mata, a 12th grade student at Armuchee High School took first place with a dazzling use of colors. Stylized dancers flow across her canvas on downtown Rome’s rooftops as the clocktower dominates the piece.
Model High’s Chandler Adams took second place with a piece that seems to exude light. In it, a festively dressed couple stands behind an intricately detailed rail and look toward the Robert Redden footbridge with its brilliantly lit American Flag.
Pepperell’s Lexi Beard snagged third place with a stylized piece that shows the coming together of recognizable downtown structures such as the clocktower and a church steeple as well as garlands of lights on a rooftop with colorful dancers enjoying fireworks and the moon overhead.
Honorable mention went to Hannah Durham, a 9th grader at Pepperell who painted a view high above downtown Rome with twinkling lights in the background and a rooftop soiree in the foreground.
“We have incredibly talented young people in Rome and Floyd County,” said RACA Executive Director, Mandy Maloney. “It is our honor to feature their work. We are thankful to the local art programs, teachers and students for their continued support of RACA. A special thank-you goes out to Kikki Edmonds Tucker who chairs the student art competition.”
The student artists receive a cash prize that is split between the student and his or her school’s art department.
Additionally, the top three pieces are being featured on the Firefly Fling invitation and promotional materials. All of the submitted works will be displayed at the Firefly Fling for the guests to enjoy.
This year’s event will feature food, music and art. The upscale, festival-like event will be held April 21 on the 3rd Avenue parking deck overlooking Broad Street and the Oostanaula River. RACA will also honor someone with their annual R.A.C.A. (Rome Arts Champion) Award.
Proceeds from the Firefly Fling go to support RACA’s mission of enriching the Greater Rome Community through the unifying and compelling power of the arts. RACA supports local artists and organizations that provide arts education, programming and awareness for the community’s youth and adults. For more information about this year’s Fire Fly Fling, visit online at www.romearts.org/raca-events.