On Sunday, November 2, the 25th Annual Art Connection Members Show Award Winners were announced. Voting remains open through the remainder of the exhibition via Facebook and Instagram for the Viewer’s Choice Thematic Challenge Competition. Each like/heart through November 22 counts as a vote.

Congratulations to the following winners, as decided by 2025 Awards Judge, Jessica Fuentes. Jessica is a writer, arts professional, and artist whose work has appeared in Hyperallergenic, The Brooklyn Rail, Southwest Contemporary, and scholarly journals such as the Journal of Museum Education and Art Education Journal.  She holds an MA in Art Education from the University of North Texas and a BA in Art and Performance from the University of Texas at Dallas.

For purchasing inquiries regarding the artwork exhibited in the Art Connection Members Show, please contact the Artist directly or call 972.252.7558, ext. 1225 or email minman@IrvingTX.gov.

Pictured above left: Award winning artists from the 25th Anniversary Art Connection Members Show at Irving Arts Center. Pictured above right: Jason Thing poses in front of his piece, “Favorite Snacks,” which received Best of Show.

25th ANNUAL ART CONNECTION MEMBERS SHOW WINNERS

YOUTH (17 YEARS OLD AND YOUNGER) AWARD WINNERS
1st Place – Amulya Chandupatla (Irving), Self-Devour, 2025, colored pencil, 24 x 18, NFS
2nd Place – Varshini Avula (Coppell), Solace in Stress, 2025, acrylic on canvas, 24 x 36, NFS
3rd Place – Tisya Wadhwa (Irving), Bound by the Clock, 2025, charcoal on paper, 24 x 20, NFS
Honorable Mention – Riha Nageswaram (Irving), Dining with the Devil’s Disciples, colored pencil, 13 ¼ x 46 ½, NFS
Honorable Mention – Mahathi Kumar (Irving), Coloring Within the Lines, 2024, colored pencil, acrylic, 14 x 14, NFS
Honorable Mention – Ahana Roy (Coppell), Carnival, 2025, oil on canvas, 16 x 20, NFS

NON-PROFESSIONAL AWARD WINNERS
1st Place – Vidhi Jadeja (Flower Mound), Twin Coves, 2025, ink on handmade paper, 24 x 30, $300
2nd Place – Amanda DeCesaro (Tennessee Colony), The Highland, 2024, ceramics, 14 x 15 x 16, NFS
3rd Place – Gail Nash Arnold (Irving), Together, 2024, hand-built ceramic, glazed, 16 x 17 x 11, $2500
Honorable Mention – Takako Martinez (Coppell), Ceramic Swing Top Trash Can, 2025, ceramics, 16 x 9 x 9, $400
Honorable Mention – Krisha Shah (Coppell), Recharging, 2025, acrylic on canvas, 36 x 24, NFS
Honorable Mention – Dan Limberg (Irving), Renewal, 2025, sculpture, 18 x 15 x 11, $800

PROFESSIONAL AWARD WINNERS
1st Place – Byron Black (Irving), Neptune’s Gift, 2024, digital, 20 x 16, $350
2nd Place – Erin Newton (Irving), Shroud Me, Little Gem Ghosts, 2025, oil on canvas, 60 x 48, $4500
3rd Place – Jack Hein (Garland), Beyond Taste in Memory, 2025, porcelain, stoneware, glaze, 8 x 10 x 12, $2000
Honorable Mention – Marty Ray (Dallas), Art Class, 2023, clay, 8 x 6 x 6, NFS
Honorable Mention – Krystin-Youngju Smith, (Flower Mound), The Passage of Time, 2024, watercolor on paper, 28 x 20, $3500
Honorable Mention – Gwynn Getto (Mesquite), Politics, Power, Privilege & Gluttony, 2025, steel, copper, bronze, porcelain, 24 x 9 x 9, $2500

BEST OF SHOW AWARD WINNER
Jason Thing (Garland), Favorite Snacks, 2025, ceramics, 3.5 x 4 x 5.2, $350