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National Digital Art Festival Winners Recognized

Creative and technological teens are recognized with a trip to Denver through the generosity of Microsoft and Comcast.

In July, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), Microsoft and Comcast recognized its 2010-2011 National Club Digital Arts Festivals teen winners with an expense-paid trip to Denver. While there, Club members explored careers in technology fields and the top tourist offerings in Denver.

During the 2010-2011 school year, Boys & Girls Club members from across the globe were challenged to create digital art in the categories of photo illustration, filmmaking, stop-motion animation, music production, and graphic design.  More than 20,000 young people participated in local contests, with 1,000 entries advancing to the regional level.

DAF National Winner Daniel checks out 3D computer technology at a Microsoft store in Denver.

A panel of judges including Debbe Edelstein, PEOPLE Magazine, James Howell, The Art Institute and Jenny Kuhla, professor of photography at Savannah College of Art and Design picked the final group of 26 youth and teen national winners.

"The Club Tech Digital Arts Festival encourages artistic expression and fosters the development of technology skills, which are increasingly important in today’s world," said Judith J. Pickens, senior vice president, Program & Youth Development Services at BGCA.  "Through our national partnership with Microsoft and Comcast, we seek to offer our Boys & Girls Club members an opportunity to advance these skills and explore technology-related career paths. The annual competition helps spark a lasting enthusiasm for the arts and technology, and prepares our young people for fulfilling careers."

Younger members received a $500 reward for their national wins while teen winners from as far away as Japan experienced first-hand the diverse career opportunities that lie ahead through interactive tours at EmbroidMe, the Comcast Media Center and Microsoft Store. Employees from various departments shared career choices and personal experiences with teens, opening their eyes to the many ways they could employ their technology skills and creativity in a future career. Winners also visited some of Denver’s top tourist destinations, including the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Museum of Nature and Science and INVESCO Field.

The following Boys & Girls Club members were recognized as national winners:

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Holland (Mich.)
Design Tech - A Hand To Guide Me by Daniel F.

Iwakuni Youth Center (Japan)
Movie Tech (Film) - Unstoppable by Aaron R.
Photo Tech - To Infinity and Beyond by Charlene B.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County (Fla.)
Music Tech - Fun in Funky by D'ojane T.
Photo Tech - Space by Jesse F.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula (Calif.)
Music Tech - Here We Go by Jose S.

Boys & Girls Clubs of King County (Wash.)
Design Tech - Basketball Face by Malcolm C.
Movie Tech (Film) – CeMari and the Homework of Death by CeMari S.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver (Colo.)
Movie Tech (Animation) - Grace by Abel M. and Giovanni E.
Photo Tech – Gaby’s Moon by Gabriela H.

Camp Pendleton Children and Youth Program (Calif.)
Movie Tech (Animation) - Heart and Sole by Ashley C.

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke (Mass.)
Design Tech – Doves by Jason N.

Pueblo of Pojoaque Boys & Girls Club (N.M.)
Design Tech – Stop Hallucinating! by Noah D. 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale (Ariz.)
Movie Tech (Animation) – When No One is Looking by Gina W. and Mary L.
Movie Tech (Film) – Zombie Boogers by Eric. D, Kierstin Q., and Nick H.
Movie Tech (Film) – Terrorist Nation by Tyler G.
Photo Tech – I’m Too Small by Selia W.

Santa Clarita Valley Boys & Girls Club (Calif.)
Movie Tech (Animation) – The Fearless Force! by Ian H., Josh W., and Tommy W.

Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh (Wis.)
Music Tech – Above by Caleb C. 

USAG Wiesbaden CYS Services (Germany)
Music Tech – Walls by Grayson W.

To view the artwork of all national and regional winners, please visit www.bgca.org/digitalart.

10% of Club members are 16 years old or older.