Sofia McClarnon “May 10th, 2024” – 2026 Winner

Sofia McClarnon – “May 10th, 2024”

Tallahassee, FL

Division II: 19–22 Years Old

Repurposed canvas, velvet, acrylic, beads

I made this piece in reflection of the tornados that hit my hometown of Tallahassee, Florida, on May 10th, 2024. The changing ocean temperatures that lead to high pressure air systems have been leading to more tornados, hurricanes, and other extreme weather events. Buildings I associate with fond childhood memories have been completely torn down, because it was easier and more efficient not to rebuild them after the destruction. The beads represent the radar signature of the storm with the background depicting its destruction. I wanted the beadwork to be beautiful and distracting; you almost don’t notice what is being left in its wake.