Children's diplomas and first steps into the world of art

Author: Anna Mamchur (Liakhovetska)
Country of first awards: Ukraine

My story: how diplomas became steps

Drawing has accompanied me since childhood. From the first years at school I felt that paints, paper and pencils were not just materials, but a way to speak to the world without words. That was when I started taking part in competitions and exhibitions, and very quickly my works began to receive awards.

I received my first diplomas during my school years in Ukraine. In 2004 my drawings were awarded a 1st degree diploma at the regional stage of the All-Ukrainian festival-competition 'Shevchenko in My Heart' (Khmelnytskyi). That same year I received a diploma from the National Union of Artists of Ukraine in Kyiv — at the national level. For me, as a seventh grader, this was an extraordinary recognition and confirmation that art was my calling.

In 2005 I won 1st place in the regional competition 'The Wonderful World Around Me' in the 'Painting' category. It was then that I first saw a large gathering of young artists from different corners of Ukraine, and there I felt the true excitement of creative competition.

The year 2006 was special for me: I discovered the world of Ukrainian traditions in pysanka art. My works were awarded a 3rd degree diploma at the festival 'Lemko Pysanka Invites Friends' in the town of Buchach (Ternopil region), as well as a certificate for 2nd place at the regional competition 'Podilska Pysanka' in Khmelnytskyi. This experience gave me a sense of belonging to deep folk traditions, which I continue to preserve in my art today.

A few years later, in 2013, I received an honorary certificate from the Kamianets-Podilskyi City Council (Ukraine) for my contribution to the development and promotion of fine art in my hometown. This was no longer a children's competition, but recognition from the community, which had a special significance.

Of course, this is only a small part of my awards. Since childhood I have had dozens of diplomas and certificates — from school competitions to local and regional exhibitions. Each of them is an important memory, a small step that led me further.

Today, looking back at these awards, I see in them not just paper and stamps, but symbols of my first steps in art. They became the foundation of my confidence and love for creativity, which has now grown into a professional artistic path.

Art for me is always a journey. And these diplomas from my childhood years in Ukraine were my first tickets to the great world of creativity, which today opens before viewers in different countries around the world.

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