Move over Picasso. Belmont has a pint-sized artist in its presence—and she’s only 6 years old.
Ava Tsou of was one of six selections for SamTrans’ “Art Takes a Bus Ride” competition, where she illustrated the theme “Postcards from SamTrans.” Her postcard-like piece was among 300 other submissions throughout San Mateo County schools.
Her entry, done with the typical medium of Crayons and markers, will be showcased on the ad cards inside SamTrans buses and outside on the “Art Bus” for the next year.
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Ava is the youngest winner this year and the only student from a Belmont school to have won. She will also receive a SamTrans youth pass, a framed copy of the bus ad card, and art supplies to continue her talent.
Back in January, SamTrans opened the contest to children from first to sixth grade. The entry deadline was Feb. 18. Winners were presented with awards last week at the SamTans headquarters board meeting and took pictures with the famous bus.
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Ava’s fellow first grade classmates were excited when they heard the news, said their equally-as-excited teacher Jennifer Zanotto.
“We celebrated in a big way! After the ceremony Ava’s mom brought in pictures that we played as a slide show so all of the students could feel like they were there,” Zanotto said. “Ava was thrilled.”
Still known as “Ms. Sanchez” to her first-graders (she recently wed and changed her name), Zanotto said she had all the students in her class participate as an art lesson. The students discussed different places the SamTrans buses travel to and where they would like to take the bus to as inspiration for the contest, she said.
SamTrans began this contest back in 2005 and judges entries based on creativity, artistic merit and interpretation of the theme, said SamTrans spokeswoman Christine Dunn. Each entry also had to have a depiction of a SamTrans bus in it.
Dunn said this contest is a highlight for their staffers and aims to bring awareness to young bus riders.
“By promoting SamTrans to the young people in our community we are hoping to educate them about the importance of public transportation,” she said.
