CTEF 2025 Art Contest Division I Award
Through my eyes, beyond the rain
This is my painting about “breaking through.” The girl in my painting is me! I’m standing in a busy market on a rainy day. Everyone around me is carrying umbrellas, but I’m not. I’m wearing my glasses, and through them, I see the world in a different way. Even though the rain feels cold and the ground is muddy, I don’t mind. I’m curious about what’s happening around me, and I want to explore it. My teeth aren’t straight, and sometimes I feel a little shy about that. But this painting is about not letting small things stop you. It’s about being brave and breaking through fears, like being afraid of rain or worrying about being different. I believe we can all see the world in new and exciting ways if we try, even when things seem hard. This painting shows how I think breaking through isn’t just about doing big things—it’s about small, everyday moments where we choose to see the possibilities instead of the problems. That’s what I wanted to share with you!
20
First Place
Silent Cries of the Ocean
My picture is about the ocean asking for help. The beluga whale is crying because of the trash in the water, but the mermaid is reaching out to show that we can make a difference. The sunlight breaking through the water means hope—that we can fix things if we try.
To me, a breakthrough is like solving a big problem or finding a way to help when it feels hard. It’s about making things better, like cleaning up the ocean and taking care of animals. I want my art to help people see how beautiful the ocean is and why we need to protect it.
I love drawing and using my imagination to tell a story. I made this picture to show that even when things feel sad, we can always find hope and try to make the world a better place!
19
Second Place
Tree House
这是Yinning小朋友第一次独立完成一幅大画，从一开始holiday season发生在树屋里的故事构思，到树屋结构、颜色选择和上色，再到最后的增加细节，整个过程耗时三周。她很享受这个过程，对她来说就是一次breakthrough！
22
Second Place
57
The Wonderful World Is Waiting for Me
I’m in such a wonderful world! I'm curious about everything. I love playing the piano, listening to beautiful music flying out from the keys; I love painting, watching beautiful colors unfold on the canvas; I love reading, imagining the scenes behind each sentence; I love studying sea creatures, watching the stars in the sky… How can I learn all its secrets and knowledge? Can I be the fastest learner? Mom tells me, don’t rush, don’t rush, I’m still young, the world will always give surprises to the curious.
Second Place
Racing Toward Tomorrow
This painting shows the moment when I push past my fears and race faster than ever before. Skiing down the mountain feels like flying, and every turn is a chance to get better. To me, a breakthrough means proving to myself that I can do something I thought was impossible—like going faster, being braver, and never giving up. This is my way of showing how I can break through limits and dream of a brighter, stronger tomorrow.
6
Third Place
My Voice, My Adventure
My painting shows how hard work and practice in singing can create something magical. Through my dedication, my performance not only becomes a personal breakthrough but also brings joy, attracting animal friends to celebrate with me. It’s a story of how passion and perseverance can inspire connection and happiness
12
Third Place
Racing Beyond Limits
My artwork, *Racing Beyond Limits*, captures the spirit of pushing boundaries, aligning with the theme of breakthrough. Inspired by the Summer Olympics in Paris 2024, I watched athletes strive to be faster, higher, and stronger, which made me reflect on how sports help people reach their full potential. I selected my favorite sports—running, swimming, soccer, and rhythmic gymnastics—to feature in the piece, as they represent unique ways I can break my own limits. In the background, you can see Washington Lake and some of Seattle’s iconic buildings, like the Space Needle, reminding me that no matter where I am, I can always aim higher. I hope my artwork inspires others to improve themselves through sports and excel in what they do.
27
Third Place
43
天空之城
天空中悬浮着很多房子，还有一些布满电线的柱子，可以给房子充电，一些小型飞船可以带你出门。
Third Place
48
A Hug for the Earth
A girl is hugging the Earth to show how much she loves it. The city inside the Earth shows that we can make our cities cleaner and prettier if we take care of the planet. This picture is about thinking in a new way and helping everyone protect the Earth for a better future!
Third Place
Ice Skating
Ice skating is a little's favorite sport, but she was too afraid at first place.She wanted to be brave, to join the others. She learned ice skating and overcame obstacles. Finally, she could wearing a sparkly dress and gleaming white skates, surrounded by twinkling lights and the sound of soft music playing in the background. She feels a sense of freedom and joy.
5
Excellence
Embracing the Night: Rest and Renewal
Night is good, and it is peaceful. It is not earth’s fault we have night. It is how we get sleep and new energy for a new day. If you do not sleep and rest well, you will feel tired in the morning. But if you rest well, you will feel ready to break through new things! So always tell yourself, it is okay I can’t do this now, even others are doing it, and I can try it again when I have a good sleep!
8
Excellence
37
探秘海底
看到海底那条牵线的鱼了吗？那是我发明的海底鱼形摄像机，它为我们拍摄了很多海底的视频。
Excellence
38
遨游大海
我和妹妹化身成美人鱼去海底游玩，遇到了长得很凶但很友好的鲨鱼，还有很多漂亮的小鱼和珊瑚。
Excellence
44
海底研究基地
海底秘密基地，直通海面实验室，还有火箭可以飞去太空做研究。
Excellence
61
Journey of Growth
This artwork beautifully illustrates the transformative journey of childhood, capturing the milestones that shape a child's development. The composition portrays eight versions of the same girl, representing her evolution from an infant to a self-reliant and talented individual.
From left to right, the background transitions from the quiet mystery of the night to the brightness of day, symbolizing the passage from innocence to self-discovery. Each phase of life is depicted with thoughtful detail: from a baby's first steps, learning to feed herself, to mastering a bicycle and discovering hobbies like swimming, playing the violin, dancing, and painting.
A grand clock, ocean waves, and piano keys flow seamlessly from top to bottom, connecting these moments as a continuous narrative. The clock marks the passage of time, the waves symbolize the ebb and flow of challenges and growth, and the piano keys reflect the rhythm and harmony of life’s lessons.
The piece radiates a sense of resilience and joy, celebrating the journey from a curious and dependent child to a confident, capable young individual. It is a tribute to the beauty of growing up, discovering one’s passions, and embracing the ever-changing tides of life.
Excellence