Two Virginia students have been selected to represent the nation in the International Aviation Art Contest sponsored by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. It is the second time in as many years that the Commonwealth’s young artists have qualified for this global event.

Eric Shen and Iris Xie, both from Vienna, VA, were among nine winners selected by the Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV) in the state-level competition. Their art was among 150 pieces sent on to the national contest in Washington, DC. Now, they will go on to compete against artwork from around the world in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Greg Campbell, director of the DOAV, said: “For the second year in a row, the Commonwealth's students are national models for aviation and the arts. Nothing expresses 'Virginia is for Aviation Lovers' better than our next generation representing our country on the international stage. The Department of Aviation could not be prouder of them, and we wish them the very best.”

This year’s theme for the aviation art contest was “Air Sports for a Peaceful World,” and students were allowed to depict the subject matter with minimal conditions on their artistic vision. Judges from the DOAV selected the winners based on color, composition, originality, and relation to the theme. Selected for their experience in aviation, art, design, and media, the judges weighed the art pieces utilizing a blind numbering system for the most objective scoring possible. The artwork submitted to the DOAV was so exceptional that several students were also selected for “honorable mention” awards.  

If your students missed out on this year’s aviation art contest, they can prepare to enter the annual competition next year. Check in periodically for 2025’s theme when it is announced by the Virginia Department of Aviation at doav.virginia.gov. 

National Winner 2nd Place, Intermediate Category

Iris Xie – Vienna, VA