Young artists showcase their ‘hearts’ of gold in Valentine’s Day Coloring Contest

Our judges’ hearts were aflutter when they saw all the gorgeous, fun and entertaining colored hearts submitted in this year’s annual Spokesman-Review Valentine’s Day Coloring Contest.

Area kiddos – nearly 300 of them – played with media, bringing standing coloring crayons and colored pencils to the table along with paints, collages, and 3D elements. It was tough to pick out the winners, but our able judges pulled it off. The winning entries are printed below. As many as possible of the other entries are now hanging in the Mobius Children’s Museum in the basement of River Park Square.

In the ages 0-4 category, Lauren Wirth, age 3½ of Spokane, impressed judges with her use of stickers. Mom Theresa included a note explaining that it was violet washable paint used for the base of the heart.

Madilyn Rayniak, age 4 of Spokane Valley, delighted with her use of bright colors, carefree application of paint and use of glitter paint.

Elizabeth Davis, age 4 of Spokane, impressed judges with her ability to stay in the lines, and they liked the sparkly aspect of the heart

Among 5- to 8-year-olds, Madelyn Geraghty, age 7 of Post Falls, elicited some oohs and aahs with her triangles and rainbow effect. It’s like a rainbow within a rainbow.

Daniel Wasley, age 7 of Spokane, won the judges’ hearts with his minion (of “Despicable Me” fame).

The other winner was Mattie Fish, age 7 of Chattaroy.

In the 9-12 age group, 10-year-old Emma Torr of Rathdrum got groovy with her tie-dye, psychedelic, beautiful burst of color.

Gracie Alvarez, age 9 of Colbert, clearly put a lot of thought in her piece, as it displayed a great combination of shapes and patterns.

Karina Sande, age 10 of Rathdrum, was the only winner to receive four stars from judges. Her heart, resembling a quilt, showed good color choices and attention to detail.

Carolyn Lamberson, features editor