Michi Tamashiro, a junior at Mid-Pacific Institute, is the first ever student at MPI to win a prestigious American Visions Award (Scholastic Art and Writing Award). She will travel with MPI art teacher George Okuhara and her family in June to Carnegie Hall In New York City to receive the award.
Her work is considered to be among the best in the nation. She is MPI's first American Visions award region winner and national winner. "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for a student artist," said MPI art teacher George Okuhara. "Michi is among the best of the best in the entire country."
There were approx 140,000 entries from all 50 states. Of the 140,000 entries, 10,000 made it to the national level to be judged. In all, 1000 awards will be given, 67 of them will be the coveted American Vision Award.
"I'm very excited," Michi said. "The award was very unexpected!"
The winning work of art was a graphic on paper that featured some of her hand made stuffed animals. The work has an undeniable edge, juxtaposing friendly stuffed animals with one that is, as she described it, a bit on the scary side.
As long as she can remember, Michi has loved art and the creative process. "I really want to attend an art college and later work in the arts," she said.
The mission of the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers is to identify, motivate, and validate the next generation of artists and writers.
