20 GRPS scholars named finalists in 2025 SMART Art Awards

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.  – Twenty Grand Rapids Public Schools scholars have been named finalists for the 2025 SMART (Students Making Art with a Renewable Theme) Art Awards. The art competition focused on clean energy-related subjects is open to all GRPS scholars in 9^th – 11^th grade. The competition is a collaboration between Consumers Energy, ArtPrize, and GRPS.

The 20 finalists were selected by a panel of art professionals from the Center for Community Transformation, Cultivate, and Grand Rapids Community College.

The finalists are listed in alphabetical order below. Images of their artwork and a video celebrating the finalists can be viewed here.

• Samya Alford, Innovation Central High School, ‘In Full Bloom’
• Keyla Arcos-Lopez, Museum High School, ‘Out of Sight, Out of Mind’
• Andy Blancas-Vazquez, Union High School, ‘The Breath of Tomorrow’
• Sneha Dixit, City High Middle School, ‘A Drop of Hope’
• Clara Guest, City High Middle School, ‘New Beginnings’
• Juan Hernandez-Gomez, Southwest Middle High School Academia Bilingüe, ‘Earth’s Vision’
• Judy Hollister, City High Middle School, ‘Unbalanced’
• Emma Hoogewind, CA Frost Environmental Science Middle High School, ‘Lady of the Forest’
• Roberto Huling-Perez, Union High School, ‘Two Sides of Earth’
• Lucy Kearney, City High Middle School, ‘Footprints’
• Sylvie Mahlie, City High Middle School, ‘Is It Too Late?’
• LaZell Martin, Innovation Central High School, ‘Natural Growth’
• Lulu Nygaard Tap, City High Middle School, ‘Way of Water’
• La’Kariana Perkins, Union High School, ‘Renewable Energy and Nature’
• Alivia Phillips, Southwest Middle High School Academia Bilingüe, ‘XYZ’
• Lily Salacina, CA Frost Environmental Science Middle High School, ‘Life, Death, and Rebirth’
• Lux Schmitz, CA Frost Environmental Science Middle High School, ‘Micro Particles, Macro Problems’
• Bee Sutherby, Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy, ‘Sustenance’
• Ayana Torres, Southwest Middle High School Academia Bilingüe, ‘Our Beautiful Earth’
• Elliot Williamson, City High Middle School, ‘Renewable Energy Will Make The World Bright’

All 20 entries will be on display at Grand Rapids City Hall during ArtPrize. The top 10 finalists will be announced during ArtPrize, including the overall winner who will receive a scholarship courtesy of Consumers Energy.

“It continues to be inspiring to see the next generation of our state’s thinkers and leaders blending their vision of our clean energy future with their artistic talents,” said Cathy Wilson, Consumers Energy’s executive director of corporate giving. “Consumers Energy has long been a proud sponsor of this competition, and we are grateful to have another year of inspiring and admirable entries from students across the city.”

“The SMART Art competition is a powerful example of how art can inspire action and awareness,” said Dan Van Til, GRPS Fine Arts Director. “Our scholars are using their creativity to explore the urgent issue of renewable energy, and the results are both thought-provoking and deeply moving.”