News Updates 　


March 6, 2025
The committee announced the final award winners.

Grand Prize (two entries)

Naomi Gan, "Sparks" (School of the Arts, Singapore)
--Comments from the Selection Committee--
[Toshio Naoe] This piece is unique in addressing a challenge that young artists inevitably face—the doubt and struggle against pure creative desire—through the lens of poetic literary language while drawing inspiration from Van Gogh’s life and works.
[Bao Suomiya] This is a beautifully written essay that captures the struggles of artistic identity and the paradox of loving and hating art. The language is poetic and engaging, and it is very thoughtful in general.
[Mima Yuzawa] This piece candidly expresses the complex emotions one experiences when engaging in creation.

Lovelia Yuriko Zahida, "Art as an Escape and Solace" (MAU Amanatul Ummah - Islamic Senior High School Surabaya, Indonesia)
--Comments from the Selection Committee--
[Yoshihiko Iida] This excellent essay captures the ignition point of artistic expression from the perspectives of different life domains. By contrasting their experiences of transferring to a Japanese elementary school and later returning to school life in Indonesia, the author discovers the brilliance of “illustration” as a form of self-expression beyond linguistic boundaries and shares the experience of gaining the vitality to live.
[Fumiaki Murakami] The author provides a detailed description of the possibilities of art through her personal experiences. In particular, she highlights the therapeutic aspects of art as a common language, based on her experience of discrimination and prejudice against foreigners.
[Sakai Rodriguez Oscar Eduardo] The essay has a unique perspective for people who struggle when living overseas. The arguments, presented with a touch of naiveness but at the same time with strong reflections, made an engaging point in this essay.

Award for Excellence (seven entries)

Winning Entries (twenty-three entries)

University of Tsukuba Students' Award (one entry)
Camryn Haag, "Thinking in Deadlines: My Creative Experience or Lack Thereof" (Eastern High School, United States)
--The University of Tsukuba Students' Award is selected by the Students Selection Committee, which consists of students at the University.--
--A Comment from the Students Selection Committee--
This essay provides a fresh perspective for high school students constantly engaged in academics and career decisions. For those interested in art, it encourages reflection not only on the final product but also on the surrounding creative elements, prompting deeper consideration of what art truly represents.

The list of all the award winners is here.

September 13, 2024
Issuance of Certificate of Participation:
Those who wish to receive a certificate of participation in the contest will receive it by e-mail. Please answer the question in the "Certificate of Participation" section of the application form.

August 18, 2024
The collection of excellent essays from the previous contest is now available.

May 17, 2024
Launch of the official website of the 11th Art Writer Award for High School Students: Essays in English.