The Washington Apple Education Foundation announced Chelan High School junior Macie Cowan was named the grand prize winner in the organization’s 27th annual Year of the Apple Art Contest. The contest is sponsored by Corteva Agriscience.

“Ascending Apples” by Macie Cowan won the grand prize in the Washington Apple Education Foundation's annual Year of the Apple Art Contest. (Courtesy Washington Apple Education Foundation)
“Ascending Apples” by Macie Cowan won the grand prize in the Washington Apple Education Foundation’s annual Year of the Apple Art Contest. (Courtesy Washington Apple Education Foundation)

Cowan received a check for $1,000 for her oil painting titled “Ascending Apples.” Her artwork will be published on the annual Corteva Agriscience poster calendar.

Wapato High School junior Maria L. Garcia Luna won second place with her colored pencil drawing titled “Sweet Apples.” Kamiakin High School senior Morgan Madder won third place with her acrylic painting titled “Sunshine Apple.” Garcia Luna and Madder each received a check for $250, and the art programs at each of the winners’ schools received a $150 Amazon gift card to purchase art supplies.

Thirty-three artwork pieces created with colored pencils, acrylic paint, watercolors, colored chalk and oil paint were submitted this year from students in grades 9 to 12 in Benton, Chelan, Franklin, Grant and Yakima counties. WAEF volunteers LaVerne Bergstrom, Geraldine Warner and Jason Skerlong judged the artwork and selected the winners.

The three winning entries can be seen online at: waef.org/year-of-the-apple-art-contest.

Entry forms and contest rules for the 2023 Year of the Apple Art Contest will be available Dec. 1 on the WAEF website.

Annually, Corteva Agriscience produces a poster calendar featuring the grand prize winner’s artwork. The calendar is distributed to agriculture customers throughout Central Washington. To request a copy, please contact the WAEF office at 509-663-7713.

by Jonelle Mejica