The National Arts Program has come to Aurora intermittently over the past decade, though it has never seen an overall winner quite like Gabriel Morales.
While at the Aurora Municipal Building to collect his painting and prize on Monday, Morales’ sneakers, athletic shorts and bright blue T-shirt didn’t exactly fit in with the police uniforms and neckties of the City of Aurora employees milling about around him.
Morales isn’t a city employee, however – he can’t technically work anywhere in the state of Colorado for another two years. He’s only 12 years old.
Morales recently became the youngest artist to be named the “People’s Choice,” award winner at the NAP in Aurora. His painting, “Evening Glow on the Waters”– his first ever oil painting – received more votes from city employees than any other work in the competition. More than 100 works were submitted to this year’s program and more than 50 votes cast for the “People’s Choice.”
“I was in shock,” Morales said of his award. “I saw a lot of good paintings here.”
The NAP, which celebrated its eighth visit to Aurora in 2014, is a $3,000 grant given to corporations, city governments and other organizations with more than 2,000 workers designed to fund internal art shows for employees and their families. The grant money covers the expenses for prizes, an opening night reception and any necessary framing, according to Mary Koernig, public art coordinator for the city. In addition to the “People’s Choice,” monetary prizes are given to winners in five skill-based categories ranging from professional to youth. Morales took home $75 for his work being voted the best in the show, as well as the blue ribbon in the youth category.
The exhibit ran at the Aurora Municipal Center from May 22 through July 28.
Morales was able to participate in the program through his grandmother, Lori Strain-Morales, an employee of the Aurora Police department. Strain-Morales said she noticed her grandson’s talent at an early age after he sketched a picture of a robot in pencil.
“It was perfect to scale and everything,” she said. “I thought it was a tracing. I couldn’t believe he did it freehand.”
Morales is only the latest member of the family to earn an award at the NAP. Strain-Morales took home top honors in her age group last year and her mother, Helen Strain, Morales’ great-grandmother, was awarded the “People’s Choice.”
In addition to prize money, Morales also received a gift basket of art supplies, valued at about $25.
Morales said that the program has helped to further his understanding of art and the variety of available mediums, and he plans on entering a piece again next year.
Looking at the future, however, Morales says that his art is “just a hobby,” and plans on taking general art classes at Mesa Middle School in Castle Rock, where he will start seventh grade in August. He will also play point guard for the school’s basketball team.