Celebrating Creativity at Lumi's Utopia
The LuminoCity Festival, in collaboration with the Long Island Children's Museum (LICM), has announced the ten winners of the prestigious "Lumi's Utopia" drawing competition. This annual event, which showcases the artistic talents of young creators, invites children to explore their imagination and express their creativity through art. This year, the theme was "Fantasy Winter Fairyland," inspiring vibrant and enchanting artwork from young participants.
Interactive Workshops and Community Engagement
From April 14 to May 19, 2025, over 120 children participated in interactive workshops held at LICM, where they learned about the rich history and artistry of traditional lantern making. These workshops provided a creative outlet for participants, culminating in the submission of artistic pieces that reflect their unique visions of a winter wonderland. The response was overwhelming, as the community engaged in this initiative aimed at enriching the artistic lives of children.
The Winners of Lumi's Utopia
The creativity displayed was remarkable, leading to the selection of ten winners whose artwork will be transformed into impressive 3D light sculptures. The lucky winners include:
- - Aaron Kaplan – "The Fox Covered with Snow"
- - Kemal Yigiter – "Marshmallow"
- - Miranda Squires – "Winter Princess Fairy"
- - Arielle St. Louis – "Snow Bun in a Cup"
- - Raven Perez – "Rudy the Foxdeer"
- - Cassie Yu – "Icy the Bunny"
- - Stella Lim – "Snowy Wonder Deer"
- - Evelyn Surguladze – "Magical Fairy Kitten"
- - Julia Zukowski – "Welcome to the Winter Wonderland"
- - Mackenzie Crettol – "Winter Fairy"
These imaginative creations will be dazzlingly displayed during the LuminoCity Festival, which will take place from November 7, 2025, to January 1, 2026, at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, New York. The lighting of these sculptures will not only enhance the festival atmosphere but also serve as a testament to the creativity of the next generation.
Bringing Art to Life
Xiaoyi Chen, the Founder and CEO of LuminoCity, expressed her excitement for the ongoing collaboration between the festival and LICM. She stated, “This marks the fourth year of our collaboration with the museum, and it has evolved into so much more than a mere art contest. By transforming the artistic expressions of the community's children into 3D light sculptures, we hope to enrich their artistic lives.” This sentiment underscores the importance of creativity and imagination in childhood development and encourages children to embrace their artistic talents.
Community Support and Recognition
In addition to having their artwork transformed into unique installations, all winners will enjoy unlimited free admission to LuminoCity Festivals from 2025 through 2027, receive a goodie bag filled with festival-branded merchandise, and obtain a Family Four Pass to the Long Island Children's Museum. The recognition from this contest allows children to see their dreams come to life, reinforcing their connection to the community and celebrating the joy of artistry.
As the festival approaches, anticipation builds among families and community members who look forward to experiencing the magic of Lumi's Utopia. The children's drawings symbolize not only their creativity but also the spirit of community engagement, reminding us all of the beauty that art can bring to our lives during the holiday season.
To see the winners' artwork and learn more about the competition, visit
LuminoCity Festival's website.