Anna Le, a rising senior majoring in biology, became the second recipient of the annual UAB Honors College Art Contest. Le won first place in the competition and received the Dean’s Scholarship Award.  

Dean Shannon L. Blanton presented Anna Le with the Honors College Art Contest Certificate“My inspiration for this design came from some of my favorite spots around UAB and Birmingham,” Le said. “From campus, my design features the Hill Student Center and the mural on the bridge across University Boulevard. It also features the Rotary Trail as well as the Alabama Theater.”

Every spring, honors students are invited to submit designs for an opportunity to display their artwork on promotional material for the Honors College New Student Retreat, a three-day event that welcomes incoming students through a variety of events and activities. During the contest, students were given specific guidelines on how to submit their artwork, which included adding the Honors College mantra, Set Your World On Fire, in either imagery or text. After receiving 31 submissions, the Student Mentor and Retreat Team (SMART) Leaders reviewed and selected the final design.

“Anna Le’s exceptional artwork will elevate the experience of this year’s New Student Retreat for incoming students as one of their first introductions to the Magic City,” said Shannon L. Blanton, Ph.D., UAB Honors College Dean. “The design imagery symbolizes the strong connection between UAB, especially the Honors College, and the Birmingham community.”

Le developed a passion for art at an early age – thanks to her mother. “My mom is very creative and artistic,” Le said. “Growing up, she was always coming up with fun art projects for my sister and me to do. I definitely owe my passion for art to her.”Anna Le's winning design for the Honors College Art Contest

When creating art, Le looks for inspiration in a myriad of ways. “Before beginning a project, I spend a lot of time looking for inspiration,” Le said. “Inspiration can really be found anywhere. Personally, I like to look in thrift stores and antique stores. There are always unique art pieces that spark inspiration. Social media platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest are also great resources to find ideas! I use the app Procreate on my iPad when creating graphic design projects.”

As the recipient of the $500 Honors College Dean’s Scholarship Award, Le is humbled by the generous contribution that will aid her educational goals, while inspiring her to expand her artistic endeavors. “It is truly an honor to receive the Honors College Dean’s Scholarship,” Le said. “I hope my design serves and represents the Honors College well. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity as well as the support from the Honors College. If given the opportunity, I would also love to create more graphic designs for UAB or other organizations.”