DSLBD

The "Owly" Competition

Congratulations To Our Owly Winners!

Thank you all that submitted to the 2023 Art All Night “Owly” Competition!

We appreciate your time, effort, and the talent you shared with us. 

Make sure to stay in touch for all things Art All Night!

Claire Huang

Claire Huang is an Asian-American illustrator living in Petworth, DC. She is a marine scientist by day but loves to be in touch with her creative side through making art and music. She believes art is one of the most powerful communication tools to connect us with each other and with nature. Originally trained in scientific and wildlife illustration, Claire works with a variety of media, including ink, colored pencils, watercolors, and digital drawing and design.

Alexandra Hay

Poet Charles Simic wrote that "The attentive eye makes the world interesting," and I try to live that statement through thoughtful observation, no matter how mundane the setting may seem. If I can find just one thing to take a photo of while on a neighborhood ramble, then it was a good outing. I seek to celebrate the beauty and wonder—a kind of bite-sized sublime—that exists all around us, if only you are attentive and open to seeing it.

Dona Kuruppuaratchi

As a planetary scientist, it comes as no surprise that I have always been fascinated by the mystery, awe, and vastness of the cosmos. I naturally gravitate towards blending the beauty of our planet and universe, in the form of the stars, nebulae, comets, moons, and planetary phenomena such as aurora borealis, in my artwork.

Beezy Young

Beezy Young (they/them) is a queer, non-binary, multidisciplinary artist born and raised in Washington, DC. Beezy is a self taught painter and digital illustrator, who is also a filmmaker and founder of a hand-made wooden accessories shop called Wood You Wear. Their art is heavily influenced by neo-expressionism and the current political climate, where they utilize mixed media and abstract styles to create their pieces. Their intention is to inspire marginalized people to follow their art amidst challenging times, as well as to affirm the beauty in their existence and resilience.

Renata Philippe

Renata Philippe is a full-time Accessory designer & studio artist. She creates improvisational sewn art quilts and functional art (personal & home accessories). As a mother, wife, and veteran, Renata strives to connect the beauty of her family's cultural past (Low Country Charleston, SC) and the traditional textile techniques of West Africa and South- East Asia. Renata currently produces functional art pieces under her brand Black Squirrel Company in Anacostia, D.C.

Kaitlyn Hay

Kaitlyn Hay is an artist and art teacher at Beauvoir, the National Cathedral Elementary School. She has lived in Washington, DC for the past 11 years, originally hailing from New York. She enjoys working in a variety of media, including mosaic, collage, printmaking, ceramics, drawing, painting, and photography.

Eric Lindsey

Eric is a Washington based creator who has made a hobby of creating things. Eric looks at the world differently from most people and tries to communicate his vision into his works. He is fascinated by stationery and creating intimate works that are meaningful and resonate with others.

Gabriela Mendez

I am a visual artist from Colombia, and I've been working as a freelance animator and illustrator since my early college years. I have always loved storytelling and creating unique universes.
Giving life to characters and evoking feelings through image and movement has been my favorite part of the process since I decided to pursue art as a career! My journey started in 2016 working as a storyboard artist for a featured film in my native Colombia. From there I jumped to frame-by-frame animation, cut-out, background development, and character design.

This competition invites artists to participate by creating original artworks that embody the theme of the event. Artists are challenged to capture the essence of the Art All Night Owl, highlighting its connection to the vibrant urban landscape of Washington, D.C.

Competition Rules

DEADLINE: JUNE 26, 2023 @ 2:00 PM (EST)

  1. The artwork should showcase the captivating allure of owls, while incorporating elements that pay homage to the city's rich cultural heritage and artistic diversity.

  2. The expressive eyes of the owl should take center stage in the creation, drawing viewers into its gaze.

  3. Artists can choose any medium, such as paint, photography, or other artistic expressions, to depict the depths of wisdom, mystery, and resilience embodied by these nocturnal beings.

  4. The artwork should transcend the boundaries of the night, revealing the untold stories whispered by owls in the nation's capital.

  5. Entries must be the original creations of the artists, and digital art derived from another original artwork should be significantly different to constitute a new original work.

The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) reserves the right to request a copy of the original artwork if copyright infringement is suspected. While nude art is acceptable in the competition, it must be tasteful as determined by DSLBD. Graphic erotic art and depictions of graphic sexual violence are not acceptable. Acceptance into the "Owly" Competition is not guaranteed and is solely at the discretion of DSLBD.

If you have any questions about the competition or the application process, please feel free to contact us at dcmainstreets@dc.gov