11-year-old artist wins Rochester Pride design competition
An 11-year-old artist won the Rochester MN Pride t-shirt design contest last week — and you can purchase her art over the next week only.
Abigail Sievers, a sixth-grader at Friedell Middle School, submitted a drawing of joyous, multicolored people celebrating to convey “happiness for everyone and being ok with who you are.”
The t-shirts, proceeds from which will raise money for Rochester Pride 2021, are on sale at www.bonfire.com/rochester-mn-pride-2021 until April 15.
Sievers learned about the t-shirt contest from her older sister, who also submitted a design to the competition.
“I thought it sounded cool and was interested in participating in Rochester Pride,” Sievers said.
She had been to a Nashville Pridefest in 2019 (“a bit overwhelming because it was so large, but I had a lot of fun”).
“I think it was a good experience, and it exposed me to a lot of new things like all the different pride flags and their meanings,” Sievers said.
Sievers learned she had won the contest in the middle of a Dungeons and Dragons session with family friends. “I was ecstatic with so many happy feelings,” she said. “I felt like a glitter bomb exploded in me.”
As the contest winner, Sievers and her family will have a booth at the upcoming Pride festival on September 25. Her family plans to vend pride bracelets — catch them at Mayo Park in the fall!
Rochester Pride will take place Saturday, Sept. 25 from noon to 5 p.m. at Mayo Park. Pride t-shirts, designed by Abigail Sievers, are available at www.bonfire.com/rochester-mn-pride-2021 through April 15.