Two Vienna students came away with honors in the International Aviation Art Contest, sponsored by the Switzerland-based Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) with this year’s theme being “Air Sports for a Peaceful World.”
“Today, two Virginia students are recognized for what they are – the best in the world,” said Greg Campbell, director of the Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV), in announcing the results.
It was during a competition sponsored by the DOAV that the students – Eric Shen and Iris Xie – first received honors and began a trek that took them to national competition and then the international level.
And at the international level:
• Eric Shen was awarded second place in the Junior category. Like many 8-year-olds, he likes to draw high-powered vehicles – especially monster trucks. Like the free-falling figures in his submission, “I would love to sky-dive,” he said.
• Iris Xie garnered third place in the Intermediate category. She had her start as most students do – drawing in kindergarten – and received an honorable-mention from the DOAV during last year’s contest.
“When I feel like drawing, I take a picture and then I draw that,” said Xie, who is studying drawing human anatomy at Sunberry Art Studio in Great Falls.
Entries in the international competition were received from China, Egypt, France, India, Latvia, Japan, Lithuania, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Serbia, Syria, Thailand, the U.S. and Qatar. Only one other American student (from Kansas) was honored in the international competition.
Next year’s theme will be “Women with Wings.” For information on the competition, see the Website at doav.virginia.gov.
