1st Place
Title of Art Piece: Freedom
Category: Photography – 2025
Student/Artist’s Name: Brandon Vargas
School: Bartlett High School
Grade: 12th
School: Bartlett High School
Grade: 12th
Artist Statement: I am drawn to the deep blue of the ocean because it symbolizes both connection and mystery. This piece links two distant places, La Spezia in Italy and south-central Alaska, to highlight how water unites the world. The ocean’s vastness holds an undeniable allure, inviting exploration and reflection. There is a unique freedom in being fully submerged, a moment of weightlessness and silence that offers both tranquility and discovery.
Artwork Dimensions: 19.5×13
Original Image:
https://artalaska.org/wp-content/uploads/freedom-1.jpg