Photo courtesy of Tasca Shadix
The 2024 NWMAF Youth Essay and Art Contest came to a close with four participants being recognized for their contributions and dedication. NWMAF’s goal of building personal and collective strength, safety, and well-being is extended to its young members through our Contest.
Emma Thornton won in the painting category. Thornton’s “Snake” depicts a human hand intertwined with the arm and hand of a green, scaly being. The piece deftly uses color to create visual interest with the two colorful bracelets at center right.
Vera Hopkins received the award in computer media. As part of the dragon’s tail, “Dragon” incorporates the braid motif of NWMAF’s Weaving Strength regional events, which represent the joining of martial arts, self-defense, and healing arts. Hopkins also gave the dragon a crown of flowers, drawing on the strength associated with flora.
Matthew Robson captured a perfect moment as well as the prize for photography. Robson’s photo depicts students and instructors engaged in a board-breaking training exercise.
In the moment it was clear that what I lacked wasn’t training,
or some radical form of expertise you unlock after ten thousand hours,
but resolve, or at least that certain fear that tells each rabbit when to run.
It took a nine mile drive from that grass to find nature
and I, watching the rolling field of cattails and lily pads before me,
felt safer and still unhelpfully afraid. Later, I would run the whetstone
of my fear over and over myself, wishing for an imposing body.
It didn’t work. Nothing would.
An excerpt from Josie Bednar’s poem, “The Fight in the Dog.”
Josie Bednar wrote the award-winning poem, “The Fight in the Dog.” Bednar’s poem in three parts describes the fear of growing up into a world that does not take the safety of women and girls seriously, and the struggle of growing into a body that doesn’t command the respect that everyone deserves. “The Fight in the Dog” is a short and necessary read for those who want to understand the NWMAF’s mission in poetic form. Read the poem here.
Our award recipients represent the future and hope of the NWMAF’s next generation. We wish them the best of luck with their future creative endeavors, and look forward to even more participants in next year’s Youth Essay and Art Contest.
For more information about the Youth Essay and Art Contest, as well as about our youth program offerings, events, and services, please contact Tamara Machac, Youth Coordinator (youth@nwmaf.org).
Text by Magnolia Schnirman Barría (digital@nwmaf.org)
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