Two young artists from Welkom, Ronan Maricevic and Lorenza Sardinha of the Welkom-Gimnasium, ended in the top three of their age group in the Free State Young Artists Awards Competition 2024.
The awards function was held at the National Museum in Bloemfontein on 28 September.
This year’s theme, “Fight Drought – Exploring Resilience and Innovation,” invited young artists from across the province to capture the beauty, challenges, and innovative solutions emerging from drought-affected landscapes.
Through their creative expressions, participants highlighted the importance of sustainable water management and sparked conversations around environmental awareness.
The competition, open to learners aged five to 19 years, received an overwhelming response, with submissions that showcased the remarkable artistic potential of the province’s youth.
The artwork entries, ranging from two to three-dimensional pieces across various mediums, were judged based on originality, creativity, and how well they reflected the theme.
Maricevic and Sardinha placed first and third, respectively, in Category C for those between the ages of 15 to 19 years.
The winners were selected for their exceptional talent in capturing the essence of this year’s theme and their ability to inspire others through their artwork.
The Free State Young Artists Awards competition continues to be a cornerstone for youth in the province, encouraging artistic development and providing an inspirational and encouraging platform to showcase their work.
