Three of the winning art works (clockwise from top left): Ula Louise Olson (9 years old, Arlington, Virginia),  Julyte Underyte (10 years old, Frisco, Texas) and Roberta Beresnevicius (10 years old, Lemont, Illinois)

To celebrate Lithuania’s 100 year anniversary (it declared it’s independence on February 16, 1918) I organized a competitive children’s art exhibit. The purpose was to create a painting for a Lithuanian postage stamp. 147 children across the US participated. The competitors were divided into four age groups, and within each group the three best pieces were selected. Each of the winners had their projects converted into sheets of US postage stamps. The awards include a sheet of their own stamps, a set of Lithuanian postage stamps, and financial prizes.

If possible, please attend the opening of this wonderful exhibit and support student artists. Saturday, December 1, at 2 PM. Ciurlionis Gallery of Art, Lithuanian Youth Center, 5620 S. Claremont Ave., Chicago, IL 60636. The exhibit will continue through December 15 and can be visited daily, except for Tuesdays and Wednesdays, noon to 6 PM.

I would like to acknowledge all of the assistance, in organizing this exhibit, that was provided by Ms. Laima Apanaviciene, Ms. Viktorija Cernicenko, Director Ciurlionis Gallery of Art, and Mr Jonas Variakojis, President Lithuanian Philatelic Society.