Prairie State Wire

The rare double-brood emergence of billions of cicadas in Illinois earlier this summer has inspired a commemorative art show. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) received nearly 350 entries for its cicada art contest, announced in May.

Art experts from the Illinois State Museum and educators from both the museum and IDNR judged the submissions. Winning entries are currently on display at the 2024 Illinois State Fair in Springfield through August 18. Adult finalists and special award winners can be viewed in the law enforcement tent in Conservation World from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, while youth finalists and special award winners are exhibited in the First Lady's Tent on Main Street of the fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

"The response to this contest far exceeded our expectations for how much interest there would be," said IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. "I think the double cicada emergence really captured a lot of people's imaginations."

High school art teacher Chris Hodge of Batavia earned Best of Show recognition for his ink and illustration board piece, "Dawn of the Cicada." Hodge explained his inspiration: "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... To me it represents something that was formed in the darkness and was awakened or enlightened by the light."

Best of Show honorable mentions were awarded to Mary Reese from Lisle for "Spring Emergence," Belle Amelie Artistry from Decatur for "6 AM," and Oak Lawn Library for "Honey, I'm Coming!"

Adult Best of Medium winners included:

- 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"

Jennifer Wharton from Murphysboro received The First Lady's Award for her photo "Cicada on Blooming Buckeye Tree," while Samantha Gallagher from Wadsworth won The Director's Award for her pastel piece titled "We're Ready Now."

Youth entries were categorized by age groups:

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”

The First Lady's Award for youth went to Cassi Kyros from Carol Stream for her piece titled “A Summer Concert,” while Damian Erickson from Urbana received The Director's Award for his work titled “Brood XIX.”

People's Choice voting is open through August 18 online for all entries not awarded a ribbon.