2024 Graceful Envelope Winners
With the theme Mapping the World's Cities, the 2024 Graceful Envelope Contest challenged artists to select a location and convey its unique attributes that put it “on the map.” Then—using artistry, lettering and the integration of postage stamps—capture the spirit of the special place.
Judging the 2024 contest were US State Department calligrapher Samantha Singson, professional calligrapher and art educator Nahid Tootoonchi and professional calligrapher/illustrator Lubna Zahid. The trio met in person on July 27 and evaluated more than 200 entries based on the following criteria:
-
Creative interpretation of the contest theme, Mapping the World's Cities, to transform an ordinary envelope into a work of art.
-
Quality of calligraphy or artistic lettering used to address the envelope.
-
Effective use of color and design, including integration of postage stamp(s).
Please note:
-
It was left to the judges' discretion to determine the number and designation of winners in each division: Adults; students in grades 9-12; grades 5-8; grades 1-4.
-
Certificates were emailed to winners (including honorable mentions) on 8/13/24, so if you didn't receive one please contact swerdloff@gmail.com.
Click on each image below to enjoy full size.

Adult
1st Place
Brigitte Stermann

Adult
2nd Place
Carol Moates

Adult
3rd Place
Tatiana deFigueiredo

Adult
1st Honorable Mention
Anastasia Good

Adult
2nd Honorable Mention
Jane Andrle Gillette

Grade 9-12
1st Place
Isha Tangri

Grade 9-12
2nd Place
Parker Brown

Grade 9-12
3rd Place
Kainoa Labasan

Grade 9-12
1st Honorable Mention
Kha Vu

Grade 9-12
2nd Honorable Mention
Chasya Berger

Grade 5-8
1st Place
Laura Jin

Grade 5-8
2nd Place
Arius Liang

Grade 5-8
3rd Place
Lauden Ganske

Grade 5-8
1st Honorable Mention
Jedidiah Paul

Grade 5-8
2nd Honorable Mention
Reuben Lantner

Grade 5-8
3rd Honorable Mention
Riley Giles

Grade 5-8
4th Honorable Mention
Liam Weddington

Grade 5-8
5th Honorable Mention
Siyona Tangri

Grade 5-8
6th Honorable Mention
Norah Trejo

Grade 1-4
1st Place
Cora Schmidt

Grade 1-4
2nd Place
Claire Li

Grade 1-4
3rd Place
Akshara Bhagavatula

Grade 1-4
1st Honorable Mention
Sylvie Ou-Tim
