A New Sweden seventh-grader’s artwork has been selected to grace the cover of this year’s compilation book produced entirely by student writers. The book “Anthology of Young Authors: Aroostook Writes to Read” will be formally presented next month during the annual Aroostook Right to Read’s Young Authors Institute.
While Aroostook Right to Read has been publishing Aroostook County students’ writing annually for 30 or more years, it has only been in the past four years that the directors instituted a book cover contest, according to director Sara Deveau.
Amalla Peterson, New Sweden School (Contributed)
“We wanted to give students the opportunity to showcase their artwork. The entrants must be from grades 6-8, the artwork can be made using any medium, but must be hand-done and should be designed around one of our YA book’s themes: Animal Tales, Seasonal Lore, Adventure, Feelings, Dreams and Reflections, Fantasy and Other Fiction, or Aroostook County,” Deveau said.
Thirteen-year-old Amalla Peterson, daughter of Andrea Peterson of New Sweden and Mike Stuart of Valley Stream, N.Y., took top honors this year and has earned the right to have her artwork appear on the cover.
In fact the winner’s mother is her biggest inspiration as an artist. “She is an amazing artist,” she said. She also credits her gifted and talented visual arts teacher Mrs. Ross.
Amalla uses a sketchbook and camera to help create her paintings. Art plays an important role in her life.
“I really reached out to art when I was going through a hard time in my life and I think that art can be anything that you want it to be. I’ve been drawing a lot more because it’s fun and it keeps me busy. It also is a way to document special memories of my friends and family,” she said.
Someday, she said, she’d like to be a photographer and maybe sell her drawings and paintings.
Deveau said all entries were submitted and voted on by the Aroostook Right to Read directors based on the quality of the artwork and how well it portray one of the themes. Because of the high quality of responses, judges chose an additional artist. This runner-up will have his/her artwork featured on posters to promote Read Across Aroostook.
Jessica Leavitt of Connor Twp. was the winning artist for this year’s Read Across Aroostook Poster.
