JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS) -- A member of the 70th Aerial Port Squadron, Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., recently won first place in the 2021 Air Force Art Contest. Chief Master Sgt. Tony Rodriguez, Aerial Port Manager, took overall honors in the Adult Novice Category.
"The picture is of a co-worker’s daughter, which I drew on my time off during my last overseas deployment in 2018," said Rodriguez. "I’ve probably been drawing since I could hold a pencil in my hand. Not sure what got me started, drawing gives me a sense of peace; especially when I’m deep in the creative process."
This is the first time Rodriguez entered the Air Force Art Contest.
"I was very surprised and humbled to have won the first price in my category, especially after seeing all the amazing entries I competed against," he said.
The Air Force Services Center recently announced the winners of the annual Air Force Art Contest. The contest ran March 1-31. A team of judges evaluated each entrant’s artwork for impact, creativity, and technical criteria in adult and youth categories.
More than 790 artists submitted more than 1,000 pieces of art using a variety of media.
“The judging for this contest is tough every year because there are so many outstanding entries in every category. It is very hard to select only the top three in each,” said Col. Christopher Parrish, AFSVC commander. “This is a great opportunity for our Air Force family members to show off their artistic creativity and imagination.”
The Air Force Art Contest winners are:
Adult Accomplished
First Place: Melissa Hodge, Keesler AFB, Miss., “Time and Tide” acrylic painting
Second Place: Isaac Denton, Fairchild AFB, Wash., “SSgt Adam Erickson” graphite
Third Place: Elora McCutcheon, Grand Forks AFB, N.D., “Battle, The Battle Buddy” oil painting
Adult Novice
First Place: Tony Rodriguez, Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., “Nai” graphite
Second Place: Erin Shaffner, MacDill AFB, Fla., “Memento Mori” graphite
Third Place: Lauren Sutton, Eglin AFB, Fla., “Lil Anne” colored pencil
Youth Ages 13-17
First Place: Morgan Becker, Hill AFB, Utah, “Male Red-Breasted Merganser in Winter” acrylic painting
Second Place: Alyssa Housley, Scott AFB, Ill., “Sugar Rush” colored pencil
Third Place: Daveney Overton, Yokota Air Base, Japan, “Chocolate Dipped Strawberry” colored pencil
Youth Ages 9-12
First Place: Silas Becker, Hill AFB, Utah, “Animal Instinct” watercolor
Second Place: Grace O’Neill, MacDill AFB, Fla., “Mirror Symmetry Self Portrait” colored pencil
Third Place: Bella Dollar, Robins AFB, Ga., “Bzzz Bella” markers
Youth Ages 6-8
First Place: Eason Becker, Hill AFB, Utah, “Eisley Smiles” colored pencil
Second Place: Derek Reyna, Hurlburt Field, Fla., “Island Sunset” pastel painting
Third Place: Evelina Erickson, Scott AFB, Ill., “Self Portrait” mixed media
Winners in each category received $500, $400 and $300 gift cards for first, second and third place, respectively.
The Air Force Services Center manages the Air Force Art and Photo Contests. Visit here to view the winning images and the other submissions.
Entries for the upcoming Air Force Photo Contest can be submitted July 1-31. The AFSVC will release more information and rules soon.