The Hot Springs National Park Sister City Foundation announced the local first place winners of the recent Sister Cities International Young Artists Showcase, using the theme “Connecting Communities for Peace and Prosperity.”
The Hot Springs, Arkansas winner is Maurice Bradford of Lakeside High School for his artwork, “Connected through the Roots.” The Hanamaki, Japan winner is Miou Fujiwara, Hanamaki Higashi High School, for her artwork, “Let’s Open Our Minds.” Following display during the April Gallery Walk in downtown Hot Springs, both pieces were sent to Sister Cities International headquarters in Washington, D.C. A total of ten SCI Showcase finalists will be announced in June, with five United States entries and five international entries selected for display at the 2015 Sister Cities International Conference, held July 16-18 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.