Cicada art winners emerge at the Illinois State Fair

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — While we may no longer hear the cicadas screeching in central Illinois, the artwork inspired by the billions of cicadas will live on for years to come.

Many entries in various art mediums are on display at the Illinois State Fair, including cicadas in multiple forms. Some entries were judged by art experts from the Illinois State Museum and educators from the museum and Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Those winning entries will be on display until August 18.

"Softer Side of the Noise," Jennifer Rasmussen's entry for IDNR's Cicada Art Contest 2024.
Jennifer Rasmussen via IDNR

The IDNR Director, Natalie Phelps Finnie, says, "The response to this contest far exceeded our expectations for how much interest there would be. I think the double cicada emergence really captured a lot of people's imaginations." She adds, "Not only were we thrilled by the volume of entries, we also were elated by the impressive quality of the artwork that talented and creative Illinoisans shared with us."

Even a high school art teacher got in on the action, winning Best of Show for his ink and illustration piece, "Dawn of the Cicada," which shows a molted cicada rising to meet the dawn.

"I think about how long those cicadas stay under the earth growing and changing, and when they emerge, they still haven't reached their final form. I felt like the first light of the dawn connects well with the final form of the cicada. To me it represents something that was formed in the darkness and was awakened or enlightened by the light," Hodge said.

The First Lady's Award from First Lady MK Pritzker went to Jennifer Wharton of Murphysboro. Her photo is titled, "Cicada on Blooming Buckeye Tree." The IDNR Director's award went to Samatha Gallagher of Wadsworth for her pastel piece, "We're Ready Now."

The First Lady's Award for Youth went to Cassi Kyros, 17, of Carol Stream for her piece, "A Summer Concert." The Director's Award went to Damian Erickson, 17, of Urbana, for "Brood XIX."

But it's not over until August 18 with the People's Choice voting. You can vote online by clicking here.

Best in Show honorable mentions were awarded to:

Mary Rees, Lisle, "Spring Emergence"
Belle Amelie Artistry, Decatur, 6AM
Oak Lawn Library, Oak Lawn, "Honey, I'm coming!"

Entries for Adult best medium were awarded to:

Jessica Pignotti, Lemont, best of mixed media, “Dance of the Cicadas”
Jeremy Berkley, East Peoria, best of printmaking, “Live Loud”
Kathryn Wicks, Homer, best of drawings, “Periodical Perceptions”
Stephanie Goehring, Chicago, best of painting, “The Brood”
Tammy Ramsey, Cypress, best of photography, “Chasing Waterfalls”
Steve Kost, Palos Park, best of 3D/sculpture, “17-Year Summer Song”

Youth ages 0-7:

First place: Carlos Gómez Arámbula, 6, Orland Park, “Cicada on Tree of Life”
Second place: Reeva Gaikwad, 6, Chicago, “Musical Cicada”
Third place: Nisa Bilazer, 2, Darien, “Cicada Painting”
Honorable mention: Carter Csordas, 4, Elizabeth, “The Cicada in the Forest”
Honorable mention: Sanchi Bansal, 6, Chicago, “Nature’s Hidden Symphony: Cicada Secrets”

Youth ages 8-13:

First place: Chanym Yuen-Ortanez, 10, Chicago, “Cicadas of Resurrection”
Second place: Reese Huston, 12, Springfield, “Cicada Named Brian”
Third place: Riddhi Subhedar, 10, Chicago, “My Happy Cicada”
Honorable mention: Christopher Martinez, 10, Charleston, “Colorful Creatures”

Youth ages 14-17

First place: Joy Cheng, 14, Chicago, “Cicada’s Song”
Second place (tie): Adrian Schneider, 14, Urbana, “The Heart of Science”
Second place (tie): Elora Kloster, 16, Evanston, “Cicada Apocalypse”
Third place: Megan Schoenherr, 16, O’Fallon, “Now Playing: Illinois Cicada Symphony”
Honorable mention: Levi Mallow, 14, Germantown Hills, “The Old, The New”
Honorable mention: Raegan Higbee, 16, East Peoria, “Emergence”
Honorable mention: Deniana Clemente, 15, Chicago, “Cicada Fam”