Des Moines Register
06-02-06
Art prize doubles as present
By BRIAN A. HERNANDEZ
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
Renita Kavallieros, winner of the Latino Heritage Festival student poster
contest, stood near her artwork Thursday in 801 Grand, recalling the day she
found out she had won.
It was her 21st birthday, May 16, when she got a call.
"It's the best birthday present she could ever get," said Lennice Kavallieros, her
mother, at the awards reception and showing.
The senior from Iowa State University and a Fort Madison native beat out 55
other entries from across Iowa.
"I did a lot of research on Latino culture for inspiration," said Renita amid tables
of hors d'oeurves and art entries lining the atrium's walls and columns.
Renita received a framed certificate and a $1,000 scholarship for her poster,
which will be used to promote the Latino Heritage Festival.
A chili pepper and Spanish guitar fill the bottom right of the winning poster.
Promotional information will print in the center.
JoAnn Mackey, coordinator of the reception and executive director of Latino
Resources Inc., said the winner's artwork will be used on billboards,
advertisements and mall kiosks throughout Iowa and surrounding states.
"One of the criteria for the contest was that the students have an appreciation for
Latino culture and Latino community," said Mackey. "As you can see, they do."
The Latino Heritage Festival is Sept. 9-10 at Blank Park Zoo.