Stockton Teens awarded in nonprofit art contest
Daniel Arreola’s artistic plea to “Be a Hero” by registering to be an organ and tissue donation has captured judges’ attention as the third place winner in the California Transplant Donor Network’s Holiday Card Art Contest.
Meanwhile, another student at Ronald E. McNair High School, Ian Anthony Pineda, was the favorite entry among those voting on CTDN’s Facebook page. “Life Love Live…donate organs, tissues” was the message in Pineda’s work.
The works by Arreola and Pineda were original creations among more than 50 entries submitted from throughout Northern California and Northern Nevada. CTDN, a nonprofit which educates the public in those areas about organ and tissue donation, offered art students the opportunity to create an original work on the theme, “Miracles Happen through Organ and Tissue Donation.”
“Ian’s powerful design was a favorite among our Facebook friends and our panel of esteemed judges who work in the art world,” said Ayanna Anderson, CTDN Community Development Liaison and contest organizer. “His innovative color palette and message of ‘Life. Love. Life’ simply yet aptly describes the miracle of organ and tissue donation.”
“I wanted to showcase a heartbeat to represents life, along with the important message of love,” Pineda, the son of Mary Ann Pineda, said. “When you give life to others, you are showing your love to those who need help to become healthy. It’s good to help others and I wanted to share the message that you can extend life by donating your organs and tissues.”
Anderson said about Arreola’s work, “Daniel’s design affirms that we all have the potential to be heroes—simply by saying ‘yes’ to donation. His use of the color pink ties in well with the pink donor dot that everyday heroes have on their driver’s licenses and state IDs.”
Says Arreola, son of Maria Arreola, “A lot of people need a hero. Organ and tissue donation is a big thing, it can save lives and it changes the lives of not only the recipients, but their families and their communities. I incorporated bright colors to reflect the whimsical side of the holiday season. I felt it was also very important to showcase the diversity of donation, as people from all backgrounds are in need of transplants.”
The chance to save and improve lives is available by registering at ctdn.org or at the DMV.