Interface Art Contest Inspires Youngsters

Interface Children and Family Services awarded more than ribbons to children who participated in the agency’s Holiday Card art contest--they also provided a bit of self-esteem to children who might find it hard to come by.

After a preliminary judging, 15 first-round contest winners were given a chance to attend two art classes at Young at Art in Camarillo.

From this group, two drawings were chosen to be used on greeting cards in Interface’s 1998 holiday campaign.

The first-place winners were Emily Bradvica, 11, of Ventura, and Genevieve Geraldo, 12, of Oxnard.

The contestants were children from troubled families served by Interface and the children of staff members.

“It didn’t really matter who won,” said Genevieve. “I just really liked doing it.”

An Interface family therapist got Genevieve interested in participating.

“I liked the drawing and coloring and blending the colors in, making it the way that I would like to celebrate Christmas--to be outside and be with my family,” Genevieve said, adding that her winning card showed trees, an island and mountains.

“When I won, it was something that I had a good feeling over,” Genevieve said.

“It made me feel proud of myself, but I still felt proud of all the people that tried to win.”

Genevieve said she hung her blue ribbon on her bedroom wall and used the $25 gift certificate she was awarded to buy art supplies.

“Now I can do drawings for Thanksgiving and Christmas,” she said.

“I want to make my own art business and maybe get my own little card store so I can make a lot of cards.”

Emily, whose mother works at Interface, said she hasn’t used her gift certificate yet but can’t wait to get more art supplies.

“I never really tried as hard with other pictures as this one,” Emily said of her pastel and pencil drawing of snowmen, holly and a floral pine arrangement.

“I draw a lot in my room when I’m bored,” she said. “I like to draw horses and stuff.”

Emily said the best part of the contest was the pointers she received from the art teachers.

Interface’s holiday cards are sold each year to raise funds for the agency’s programs for abused children, battered women and their children, and at-risk and homeless youths.