Earlier this year, Indiana’s electric cooperatives named the winners of the 29th annual Cooperative Student Art Contest. Luciana Harmon, a homeschool student from Jeffersonville, was honored as Artist of the Year.

A first-place artist was also selected in each grade, Kindergarten through 12th grade, and received $100. Thirteen additional artists received honorable mention awards and $50. 

“Indiana’s electric cooperatives value the creativity and talent of young people in their communities,” said John Cassady, CEO at Indiana Electric Cooperatives (IEC). “This contest is a great way to encourage creative expression while giving students the opportunity to share their work with people across the state. Supporting local students in this way reflects cooperatives’ commitment to the communities they serve.” 

The artwork was judged based on artistic merit, originality, and creativity. “We received so many thoughtful and creative entries from across the state,” said Karlee Gable, youth and education manager at IEC and coordinator of the art contest. “It’s always rewarding to see students share their talent through the contest.”

The art contest is open to any Indiana K-12 student and will continue in 2027, shifting from month-based themes to cooperative-focused categories. 

“As the contest moves beyond the calendar format,” said Gable, “we’re excited to see students bring a fresh perspective to their artwork and tell the cooperative story in different, creative ways.” 

Read on to learn more about the 2026 contest winners.

Kindergarten
Dorothy Gatwood, Bristow

Dorothy Gatwood of Bristow is this year’s kindergarten winner for her bright and cheerful painting of a sunset. A student at Ferdinand Elementary School and member of Southern Indiana Power, Gatwood shared, “I like to paint. It’s the best!”

First Grade
Jane Olsen, Newburgh

Jane Olsen, a student at Newburgh Elementary, is the first-grade winner with her winter scene depicting a lively ice-skating rink. Olsen continues her winning streak, earning her second consecutive selection in the contest and showcasing her growing artistic talent.

Second Grade
Josephine Stanger, Martinsville

Josephine Stanger is the second-grade winner with her soft pastel artwork titled “The Snow Surprise”. She is a first-time contest winner for her winter-inspired piece and is a member of South Central Indiana REMC.

Third Grade
Addilyn Hammel, Huntington

Addilyn Hammel of Huntington is the third-grade winner and a member of Heartland REMC. She created “The Hives Are Alive!” to show how bees are associated with the start of spring. She attends Andrews Elementary School. 

Fourth Grade
Nash Cissell, Borden

Fourth-grade winner Nash Cissell of Borden is a student at Silver Creek Elementary and a member of Clark County REMC. He earned his second consecutive win with a creative collage artwork depicting the iconic April tradition, Indiana University’s Little 500 race.

Fifth Grade
Dustin Otto, Amboy

Dustin Otto of Amboy is the fifth-grade winner for his piece titled “Spring Farm”. A homeschool student, he created his large canvas work to reflect “the time we spend outdoors in springtime.” He is a member of Miami-Cass REMC.

Sixth Grade
Hunter Spindler, Greenwood

Hunter Spindler, a homeschool student, is the sixth-grade winner from Greenwood. Using oil paints, his preferred medium, Spindler’s artwork celebrates June as National Dairy Month. This marks his second consecutive year as a winner, and he is a member of JCREMC.

Seventh Grade
Lily Fouts, Seymour

Lily Fouts of Seymour is the seventh-grade winner and a student at Immanuel Lutheran School. She has enjoyed bringing her visions to life through lessons with Kay Fox Art and Design. Fouts is a member of Jackson County REMC and was awarded an honorable mention in fifth grade.

Eighth Grade
Olivia DeSchamp, Jasper

Olivia DeSchamp, a student at Forest Park Jr/Sr High School, is the eighth-grade winner and a member of Dubois REC. Her pastel artwork features soft floral imagery illuminated by fireflies, capturing a summer evening in an Indiana garden.

Ninth Grade
Laura Deckena, South Whitley

Laura Deckena is the ninth-grade winner from South Whitley for her art “The Curious Critter”. A first-time winner, she created her piece using scratch art techniques to depict a squirrel perched in a tree during an Indiana autumn.

10th Grade
Cooper Baird, Fort Wayne

Cooper Baird, the 10th-grade winner from Fort Wayne, marks his third consecutive year winning his grade level. A student at Carroll High School, Baird views art as both a creative outlet and a personal journey. He shared, “I create because it allows me to make sense of the world and my place within it.”

11th Grade | ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Luciana Harmon, Jeffersonville

Luciana Harmon of Jeffersonville, a homeschool student, has been named Artist of the Year and the 11th-grade winner for her detailed colored-pencil drawing of a deer in an Indiana forest. Harmon is passionate about creating artwork that highlights animals and nature, sharing that she strives to “bring glory to God through the beauty of his creation” through her art.

12th Grade
Makenna Krause, South Whitley

Makenna Krause, a homeschool student from South Whitley, is the 12th-grade winner for the heartfelt portrait of her late dog, Logan. Using a precise blend of markers and colored pencils, Krause captured both the likeness and spirit of her subject. This marks her first category win in the contest.

Honorable mention winners

Kindergarten
Jolysbeth Holt-Lara, Henryville
Clark County REMC

First Grade
Hudson Heiny, Henryville
Clark County REMC

Second Grade
Eleanor Daunhauer, Ferdinand
Dubois REC

Third Grade
Rowyn Mellencamp, Seymour
Jackson County REMC

Fourth Grade
Henry Crance, Columbia City

Fifth Grade
Robert Reno, Jeffersonville

Sixth Grade
Eden Fawver, Knightstown
Henry County REMC

Seventh Grade
Etta Kaucher, Greenfield
NineStar Connect

Eighth Grade
Isabella Martin, Fort Wayne

Ninth Grade
Isabella Griffin, Warsaw
Kosciusko REMC

10th Grade
Mary Mondok, Fort Wayne

11th Grade
Elizabeth Massie, South Whitley

12th Grade
Hannah Moore, Pierceton
Kosciusko REMC

Looking ahead to 2027

The creativity continues with the 2027 Cooperative Art Contest. Next year’s theme, “We Power Indiana,” invites students of all grade levels to illustrate the people, communities, and everyday activities that keep Indiana moving forward. From farms and schools to neighborhoods and local businesses, energy connects the places and experiences that matter most. Electric cooperatives don’t just deliver power — we help power Indiana’s communities, and we want students to illustrate what that looks like to them.

Entries will open Aug. 2, 2026, and remain open through March 1, 2027. Students, parents, and educators can find full details on contest rules, theme guidelines, and eligibility at goiec.org/artcontest.