The Daily Gazette has announced the winners of its annual holiday coloring contest, celebrating creativity among young artists. This year, the contest featured entries from various age groups, showcasing talent from local children across the region.
Winner Highlights and Unique Creations
In the category for children aged eight and under, the top prize went to Mia Lopez, 7, from Amsterdam. For the 9- to 12-year-old group, Savannah Retersdorf, 9, of Mayfield, took home the honors. The contest also recognized Leyland Brodowski, 11, from Catskill, as the winner representing both the Register-Star and Daily Mail publications. The Daily Gazette celebrated two winners: Grace Shillito, 10, from Burnt Hills, and Mackenzie Durocher, 8, from Schenectady.
Shillito’s artwork stood out in the 9- to 12-year-old category, continuing a family tradition of artistic achievement. She previously won the Fourth of July contest in 2024. This year, her entry featured a primary coloring option designed by award-winning illustrator Anthony Richichi. “I wanted to put a banner up,” Shillito explained in a phone interview. Her artwork included vibrant elements such as a snowman, Douglas fir trees, and a thoughtful addition of a scarf for the Daily Gazette mascot, Newsie.
Durocher added her name to her family’s winning history with her creative depiction of Newsie as a red-and-white candy cane. “I got a little bit of ideas from my dad,” she remarked on Christmas Eve, noting that her design included a star atop both trees and a sled below her characters, highlighting her imaginative approach.
Artistic Techniques and Inspirations
Each winner will receive $50 from the Gazette News Group, recognizing their creativity and effort. All entries were featured in the Gazette News Group’s publications in late November and uploaded on the Daily Gazette website for public viewing.
Brodowski, who attends Catskill Middle School, described his artistic process, using a combination of markers and pencils to create depth and color in his submission. “I used the pencil to shade in some things and make darker colors,” he said, explaining his choice to depict a snowman-making scene during the golden hour.
Retersdorf expressed her dedication to maintaining a winter holiday theme in her artwork. “I used colored pencils for most of it, but white crayon to add more white to the snowman,” she stated. Her careful attention to detail ensured that Newsie’s appearance was festive, incorporating traditional red and green hues. “Our family really likes Christmas and is into Christmas, so I wanted to make sure I had Christmas colors,” she added.
The contest not only fosters creativity but also encourages local youth to engage in artistic expression during the holiday season. As evidenced by the enthusiasm of the participants and their families, the Daily Gazette’s holiday coloring contest remains a cherished tradition in the community.
