Almaden Resident | 0428 | July 15, 2004

July 15, 2004 San Jose, California Since 2003

Contributed photograph

Art Olympians: Seven Cindy Art Studio artists recently won awards in the Pentel 34th annual International Children Art Exhibition, a competition open to students ages 3 to 15 that is often referred to as the 'Olympics for Student Artists.' The artists (from left) include Pauline Chu, Tiffany Yin, Kelly Shi, Tiffany Wang, Parisa Loftis and Grace Chang. Geraldine Hwang, who won a bronze medal for her piece 'Oh, My Ice Cream,' is not pictured.

Local youth artists rack up honors at International Children Art Exhibition

By Stephanie Condon

Seven young artists from Cindy Art Studio in Almaden won top honors in the Pentel 34th annual International Children Art Exhibition, a competition open to students ages 3 to 15 that is often referred to as the "Olympics for Student Artists."

Founded in Osaka, Japan, and sponsored by Pentel of America, the goal of the ICAE is to foster artistic talent and provide a forum for communication and cultural understanding that is free of political barriers.

More than 200,000 students from 67 countries participated in the exhibition this year, and 246 students from the United States won awards.

"It surprised me that we won seven awards out of 246 awards nationwide," said instructor Cindy Toh. "It is payoff for all their hard work."

Leland High School sophomore Tiffany Yin won a silver medal for her oil painting "At the Japanese Garden." Bret Harte Middle School student Grace Chang also received a silver medal for her oil painting "My Baby Sister."

"My teacher was telling me that I was in a competition, so she said the best way to win is to find something that you see around most of the time," Grace said. "I see my sister around, so I decided to draw her."

Geraldine Hwang, another Bret Harte student, won a bronze medal for her piece "Oh, My Ice Cream," done in acrylic.

Four more of the studio's students received Pentel awards, including Pauline Chu of Los Gatos and Kelly Shi from Evergreen. Nine-year-old Williams Elementary School student Parisa Loftis also won, along with Bret Harte student Tiffany Wang.

Parisa was inspired to paint a peacock for her entry.

"I was looking at some pictures, and I decided to draw an animal, and I thought it was really beautiful and nice," said Parisa, who has been painting for two years. "I like to do painting because you can express your feelings in a painting."

All the entries were sent to Japan to be judged, and the winning entries will remain there or be shipped to other countries for international exhibition tours.

"I have been working with children for more than 20 years, and it is a blessing for me to teach all these talented, young artists," Toh said. "I always feel so proud of them for trying so hard in their work. When they knew they had won the awards, it was surprising and exciting. You see a spark in their eyes."

Cindy Art Studio, located at 1161A Redmond Ave., has the artwork of many of its young artists on display for public viewing. The students' paintings will also be displayed at the Almaden Valley Art and Wine Festival this coming September.