Judging Finalized for Youth Banner Initiative

The Youth Banner initiative announces that judging for this year’s banners is complete and winning designs will be available soon for viewing. This year’s banner initiative inspired art submissions from more than 100 students in Arlington’s middle school and high schools, and 20 banners will be chosen to be displayed along Mass Ave this coming Spring. The Youth Banner Initiative, begun in 2016, is sponsored by the Arlington Commission for Arts & Culture and Arlington Public Schools, and is funded by the family of Gracie James, an Arlington High student who found solace and joy in the arts.

The six judges who chose this year’s youth banner design competition awardees include selectperson Eric Helmuth and Arlington Police Chief Flaherty, Arlington-based professional artist Kristina Goransson, and three Arlington art teachers — Stacie Greenland, John Koppel, and Samantha Bolger. This year’s theme was COLOR, in all of its manifestations.

Three of these students were chosen to receive scholarship recognition and will be recognized in the Spring at the Youth Banner Reception. The 20 students whose banners were chosen for display will be notified before the December school vacation break. Stay tuned to Arts Arlington, where we will share the names of the selected students and their artwork with the Arlington community.

The judges for the Youth Banner Initiative include (from left)
Chief Flaherty, Eric Helmuth (Select Board), Kristina Goransson (Artist), Stacie Greenland (APS), John Koppel (APS), Samantha Bolger (APS)