The Emergence Art Contest, a collaboration between Heber Valley Life Magazine and the Wasatch County School District, proudly showcases the incredible talent of local K–12 students. This year’s theme, “I Can Only Imagine,” inspired a wide array of imaginative and heartfelt creations—ranging from surreal dreamscapes to deeply personal expressions of hope and identity. Students from across the district submitted original 2D and 3D works, along with thoughtful artist statements that brought deeper meaning to their pieces. Finalists’ artwork has been on display at the Wasatch County School District office and will continue to travel in a special exhibit at the Wasatch County Library through July. These selected pieces represent just a glimpse into the extraordinary vision and creativity of this year’s winners.
Emergence is made possible by:
I sculpted the faces out of clay using pictures of people, one being my teacher, as references. I tried to make the faces look as real as possible by making the eyes and teeth glossy, intricately detailing the folds of the skin, and adding burns from the rope. In the end I hoped to display a feeling of uncomfortableness and evoke the feeling of being squished in the viewer.
From the moment we’re born we’re given a best friend, we carry this best friend through all our childhood dreams. We always imagine what It would be like to grow up but never consider that we might leave our best friend behind.
I’ve always been fascinated by the power of light and what it is capable of. In this photo I used steel wool to create a swirling, ethereal portal. This light from the steel wool is both mesmerizing and dangerous. It can illuminate and inspire, but it can also consume and destroy. This piece is a celebration of that power and a result of hours of experimentation in the dark.
All these people play a special role in my life. Whether it’s teasing me to make me laugh or even just sitting next to me in class at one point, they all made it onto the picture, which was hard because I had to find a way to squeeze them all in there. So whether this art wins the competition or not, it will still make me cry every time I see it, because I know that I am truly loved all around.
This piece uses watercolor, crayon, and marker to highlight a child having full-reign, letting them grow their creativity and imagination through controlled impulsivity. While I do not condone drawing on walls or children doing whatever they want, they still need creative outlets. So let your child draw! Let them play! And most importantly, let them imagine!
Beneath my childhood best friend’s staircase, a universe bloomed. In that small, darkened room, dotted with glow in the dark stars, our imaginations soared. ‘I can only imagine’ evokes that feeling of limitless possibility, of holding entire worlds within our grasp. My artwork is a reflection of my own cherished memories, and a celebration of the boundless power of childhood make-believe.
This piece is inspired by the idea of possibility and the endless potential of our lives. Based on Mary Oliver’s poem, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”… In a world full of distractions, this piece is a reminder to stay connected to what truly matters—our dreams, our passions, and the wild beauty of life itself.
Once I heard the theme for this year, I immediately thought of some surreal art. I started with one thing and just kept going. I really like the end result, and think it turned out like a dream a little kid would have with the floating islands and the sun and moon. I really enjoyed creating this piece.
Through my art, I aim to capture the beauty of the world around me, blending my personal experiences with imagination… For me, art is a way to express my feelings, tell untold stories, and spread a little bit of joy. I hope to inspire others to find their own creative voices and embrace the magic in everyday life.
I love animals. I especially love lions because they are really fascinating. I think they are the coolest animal at the zoo and I would love to go to Africa to see them up close on a safari… I could only imagine myself petting a tame lion and wondering what it would be like if I had one as my pet.
I drew different predators and different prey getting along without any worry of being eaten. I also drew me on the lion’s back because I love animals. I drew all the animals and I getting along to represent solving all the contention in the world, big and small. This includes, wars, fights, and things as small as an argument. I could only imagine world peace.
I painted this because who knows if there’s sea creatures out there and what there really is out in the ocean. We have only discovered 5 percent of the whole ocean so I used my imagination to think of what else there might be down there. And I think mermaids are real. They just live where we haven’t discovered yet!
