2nd Annual Art Contest Winners & All Submissions

The 2026 Friends of Midway Atoll Art Contest kicked off on June 15, inviting artists of all ages to submit up to 3 original artworks capturing the cultural, historical, biological—or a combination of all three—essence of Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll).

Now in its second year, the contest continues to grow! This year, we received 61 incredible submissions across two categories: Adult and Youth.

Selected artwork may be featured on future Friends of Midway Atoll online store items, including shirts, hats, stickers, posters, note cards, and more. Profits from merchandise sales directly support conservation projects on behalf of Kuaihelani.

Congratulations to all of our winners, and a heartfelt mahalo to every artist who shared their creativity for Kuaihelani. Some of the submissions below include descriptions of art media used, plus the inspiration behind their pieces. We hope to make the Friends of Midway Atoll Art Contest an annual tradition and look forward to seeing even more inspiring artwork in the years to come.

Artists: If there are any changes that need to be made for your name or artwork description, please send an email to krystal@friendsofmidway.org.

Under 18 Category Winners

1st Place – Sydney Loest

“My piece titled Colorful Creatures utilizes watercolor and color pencil to explore the bright contrasting colors of Midway Atoll's wildlife landscape. I hoped to convey the connections of the creatures to the landscape within this diverse and interconnected ecosystem.”

2nd Place – Brianne Khil

“Digital art of a Great Frigatebird mating ritual.”

People's Choice – Kai Alexander (age 8)

Medium: Oil Pastel on Paper.
“I drew an albatross family living at Midway Atoll. The parents are protecting their baby with love while colorful fish swim around them. I love learning about ocean animals and hope to become a marine scientist one day. I think Hawaii's rare animals live here like one big family.
Midway Atoll is a special home for many seabirds. I hope we can keep the ocean clean and protect nature so all animals can live safely together.”

Honorable Mention – Shay Rempfer

Honorable Mention – Owen Rempfer (age 12) – Three Submissions

Over 18 Category Winners

1st Place – Nadia Borg

“They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I can’t help but wonder at what beauty an albatross beholds on its wild journey between the sky and seas traveling thousands of miles amidst the decades it lives.”

2nd Place – Aves Gill

“I have always found the tropicbirds to be a very interesting and unique family. They can hardly walk on land, but prove themselves to be very graceful fliers across the great oceans and open skies. Artwork done using Procreate software on iPad.”

People's Choice – Deepti Jain

“Life at Atoll celebrates the extraordinary wildlife of Midway Atoll, home to millions of seabirds and many unique marine species. The artwork brings together an endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal with a Black-footed Albatross family capturing a small glimpse of the life that unfolds on this remarkable island. I haven't had the opportunity to visit Midway Atoll yet, but it has become one of those places I truly hope to see someday. Standing on its shores and witnessing these remarkable species in their natural home would be a dream come true. Media: Soft pastels and pastel pencils on pastelmat.Oplus_16908576.”

Submissions – Under 18 Category

Hailey Mei Martinez – Age 11

“‘Mālama ʻĀina' means to take care of the land, our surroundings, and to give back to the Earth—showing respect for nature and what it provides us. The Earth gave us a wide amount of land beneath our feet, so in return, we take good care of what has been given to us. This means we are thankful. ‘Mālama ʻĀina' is what I have learned to do in my school. Now, I pass it on to anyone who wants to help the Friends of Midway Atoll.”
Materials used: Pencils, black pen, and acrylic markers.

Brianne Khil

“Watercolor painting of nesting Laysan albatrosses.”

Amaya Serrano – Age 14

“'Shearwater Sanctuary' portrays a Wedge-tailed shearwater in a burrow, surrounded by green grasses. The artwork was inspired by a time I visited Kaʻena point on Oʻahu and saw nesting wedge-tailed shearwaters in their burrows. I did research on the Friends of Midway Atoll website and found out that some of them also nest at Midway Atoll.
The art piece is made on mixed media paper with watercolor and water-based Posca markers for the dots of sand. The cave was originally just Posca markers, but l added watercolor to make the colors smooth out and blend more. The shearwater is drawn completely with colored pencils and the grass is acrylic paint.”

Kobe Takeno – Age 11

“The Backbone of the Heavens.” Media: watercolor pencil on paper.
“Kuaihelani is home to plants and animals that help balance the ecosystem. Without them we would collapse.”

Keano Takeno – Age 8

“The Voyages of Our Kūpuna.” Media: colored pencil on paper.
“Our kūpuna traveled the open seas without fear and with great love for all ʻāina.”

Jake Gian Silva

Mei Wheeler

“This piece shows an albatross feeding its family in a nest with Midway's sunset in the background. This work was created with watercolors.”

Elsa Alexander – Age 11

Medium: Watercolor, Oil Pastel, and Colored Pencil on Paper.

“I painted albatrosses resting peacefully on the small islands of Midway Atoll. Each island is a quiet and safe home where they can sleep, grow, and live together. Just like the albatrosses, we all need a safe place where we can rest and feel at peace. I hope to create storybooks inspired by my paintings and share the beauty of Hawaii's islands with others. I hope Midway Atoll will always remain a peaceful home where nature and wildlife are protected.”

Over 18 Category Submissions

Joy Alexander – Two Submissions

Medium:
Watercolor, Acrylic, and Ink on Paper.
“This painting depicts a Hawaiian monk seal mother and her pup, one of the world's rarest marine mammals, resting peacefully on a small island. Although Midway Atoll is only about 15 miles in circumference, this tiny sanctuary provides a safe haven for countless precious lives. That contrast inspired the title, 15 Mile Haven. If such a small place can protect so much life, shouldn't we do everything we can to protect it? Through this artwork, I hope to remind others that even the smallest protected places can make an extraordinary difference, and that Midway Atoll and Hawaii's unique wildlife will continue to thrive for generations to come.”

Medium:
Blue Ballpoint Pen and Markers on Paper.

“I created Wings Over Midway in a woodblock print-inspired illustration style. This artwork celebrates Midway Atoll, the island the albatrosses return to and choose as their home.
Their soaring wings connect the islands, the sea, and the sky, symbolizing the harmony of nature. Midway Atoll is a precious sanctuary where seabirds return to nest, raise their young, and thrive. Through this artwork, I hope to share the beauty of this remarkable island and inspire others to help protect it for generations to come.”

Elliott Berling

“Though I have never been able to go to Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) myself, while a student at the University of Iowa one of my classes visited the Museum of Natural History’s cyclorama of Kauō (Laysan Island) and researched our impact on the wildlife throughout the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. I immediately fell in love with the Mōli (Laysan Albatross), which made choosing my subject for this painting easy! I chose to work in oil paints, as even though I’m still relatively new to them, they’ve quickly become my preferred medium.”

Nadia Borg

Medium: alcohol markers.
“The Nunulu (Bonin Petrel, Pterodroma hypoleuca) tell a story of hope and resilience. As a species they have suffered severely from the introduction of invasive species, climate change and habitat loss. However, when given the chance through conservation efforts, they have rebounded spectacularly once more blanketing the night sky.”

Amy Currier – Three Submissions

Acrylic on sketch paper.
“Portrays a thoughtful old sea turtle resting at dawn, with stars in the night sky above.”

Watercolor on watercolor paper.
“Honu Sea Turtle drifting in the colorful waves. This was painted on a beach in Kona Hawaii while I was on vacation this summer.”

Watercolor on watercolor paper.
“Honu Sea Turtle drifting in ocean waves with the blue summer sky above.”

Laverne Autagne

“Watercolor of Albatross, ‘Wisdom’. Longest living banded Albatross.”

Megan Fanning – Two Submissions

“Photobombing albatross (watercolor on paper).”

“Answering the age old question of, ‘What would it look like if an albatross invited friends over for poker night?’” (Acrylic on paper).

Paulien DeSaeger

Scott Doying

“The Monk Seal portrait is done with a soft lead pencil on grey paper. It is approximately 12” by 18”. The boarder is made up of patterns that can be found in Hawaiian tapa cloth designs.”

Kitty Harvill

“‘Circle of Life’ is an acrylic painting on a circular canvas 20” (50cm) in diameter. I used several reference photos offered by FOMA to create this work. My objective was to show the vibrant life of Kuaihelani, the vast marine life of the ocean, the beauty and myriad colors of a setting sun, the courtship of a Laysan Albatross couple, and a chick representing new and continuing life with the glow of the setting sun on his forehead. The inclusion of the Ilima (Sida fallax) surrounding the chick is a nod to this indigenous groundcover and the great efforts of eradicating its competitive invasive species, Verbesina, by the FOMA [and Midway Atoll] team.”

Kristen Hannon

“My watercolor painting is of a Laysan Albatross that I saw during a pelagic birding trip off the West coast of Washington. I am a birder and hobbyist photographer, seabirds are some of my favorite birds. I love to using my photos as a reference for water coloring.”

Luche Angeline Mardie Ganot

“This digital artwork, created with my iPad and Apple Pencil, features three native Hawaiian species—the Laysan albatross, the Hawaiian green sea turtle (honu), and the Hawaiian monk seal (ʻīlioholoikauaua)—alongside the coastal naupaka plant. Each subject reflects a unique ecological and cultural significance: the albatross as a seabird nesting on low Hawaiian islands, the honu as a revered symbol of wisdom and longevity, and the monk seal as one of Hawaiʻi’s native mammals. I made this piece to honor these species and the shared coastal habitats they rely on.”

Katja Fletcher

Aves Gill

“I loved the story of a short-tailed albatross pair showing up on Kuaihelani, especially after learning they were considered extinct not too long ago. It truly shows how resilient wildlife can be, but also the disregard the birds have for the range maps we try to draw for them. Artwork done using fine tip pen on paper.”

Deepti Jain – Two Additional Submissions

“Among the Clouds features a Black-footed Albatross fledgling soaring over the open ocean. It amazes me that a bird so young can leave the safety of its nesting island and begin life over the open ocean. The more I learned about these seabirds, the more I admired their resilience and the extraordinary lives they lead. Media: Soft pastels and pastel pencils on paper.”

“Beauty Time features a Laysan Albatross taking a quiet moment to prune its feathers. I was drawn to this simple, everyday behaviour because it reflects the calm and grace of these beautiful seabirds It's a reminder that nature's beauty is often found in its simplest moments.” Media: Graphite on paper.

Julio Hernandez

“A Cool Mōlī was created with carbon pencil and watercolors, portraying a young Mōlī (Laysan Albatross) with a leather jacket and a 1980s-inspired feathered mullet. The hairstyle is inspired by a real biological phenomenon: as chicks prepare to fledge, they shed the fluffy down on their faces while it remains on the back of their heads, naturally creating a curious whimsical ‘mullet.' As an environmental artist with experience supporting conservation efforts, I wanted to take a playful approach that appeals to all ages, especially younger audiences, using humor and curiosity to foster a deeper appreciation for the wildlife conservation of this amazing place.”

Margaret Jensen

Rachael Kaiser – Three Submissions

Linoleum cut on kozo paper.
“Inspired by the video of a Mōlī (Laysan Albatross) chick investigating an equally young and fuzzy Nunulu (Bonin Petrel) chick captured by Sheldon Plentovich. The curiosity young seabirds show and the safety they have to explore when on an island secure from most predators is special for island colonies. While some bird species have to approach the world with caution, the carefree and outright silly nature of these birds when islands are protected is something to be cherished.”

Linoleum cut on kozo paper.
“Albatross are the true masters of the wind and ocean. From still glassy waters to towering swells, their graceful movements and effortless navigation is breathtaking. This piece centers the Mōlī at sea, surrounded by the many life forms it will encounter on its journey- from plants on sandy shores to marine pelagic species. Species included: Mōli with Excoetidae flying fish, Naupaka kahakai, Pōpolo, Īlioholoikauaua, wahoo, and flying squid.”

Linoleum cut on kozo paper.
“This piece intends to capture the connection between all creatures big and small on Kuaihelani, bringing recognition to the more “overlooked” species. Each species plays a role in these incredibly fragile island ecosystems, and each spectacular in its own way and deserving of and protection. Species included: Midway emerald beetle, ‘Ā (Red-footed Booby), Abbott's Moray, hermit crab, fruits of Paina, coconut, Black-tipped reef shark, Calf cowrie, Platybelone needlefish, Ommastrephidae squid, Myripristis soldier fish, and Parupeneus goatfish.”

Tanya Rogers

Gooneybirds (pen and ink + digital). “Portraits of Laysan Albatrosses based on photographs I took while on Midway/Kuaihelani as an albatross nest counter during hatch year 2026. The Moli all look the same at first, but the more you observe them, the more you start to see subtle differences in their individual appearance. At eye level and head on – as the birds see each other – you also notice how profoundly expressive their faces can be.”

Kate Righter – Three Submissions (slideshow)

“These acrylic paintings were inspired by my love of native coastal plants, which grew while volunteering in native habitat restoration areas. I used my own sketches and photographs as references. The coastal habitats of Kuaihelani are especially important because they support millions of migratory birds and are closely connected to the health of the surrounding ocean.“

Maiapilo
Ilima
Aweoweo

Patricia Latas

“This art, named ‘Treasures,' depicts, Wisdom, her chick, a Ghost crab and a plastic army man figurine. It represents the past, present and future of our marine treasures: the beauty, the resilience, the squandering. Wisdom is the epitome of resilience, beauty, and wisdom of the sea. The chick is the present and the future, if it survives. The crab shares its treasure, an immortal plastic toy which itself represents conflict at all levels: human battling human, human and nature, generosity and greed, the wars waged on Midway and other Pacific islands. We need to have the wisdom, science, knowledge and perseverance to protect these irreplaceable jewels.”
Medium: digital using Procreate and traditional art techniques on iPad.

Rebekah Kaufman

“Inspired by Kuaihelani’s biodiversity, this illustration showcases some of the iconic species that can be found in the atoll. I wanted the piece to show why Kuaihelani is so special and why the work that Friends of Midway Atoll does is so important. I chose to feature three Albatross species (the Moli, Ka’upu, and the Makalena), a Hawaiian Monk Seal (‘iliholoikauaua), a Green Sea Turtle (Honu), and a Spinner Dolphin (Nai’a) all against the background of the atoll.”
Created digitally in Procreate.

Kyan Russell

“This piece highlights the breeding seabirds of Kuaihelani and the duality of the windward and leeward islands of Hawai'i. I inked this work on paper, then scanned and vectorized it. Seabirds fly in darkness over oceans beneath our feet. we are anchored to the same rocks – when they disappear, so will we.”

Ekaterina Seromakha – Three Submissions (slideshow)

“I am a science artist and researcher from Moscow. My work is inspired by the natural world, especially the ocean, its colors, textures, and hidden depths. Combining realism and metaphor, I transform recognizable natural forms into imaginative worlds that invite viewers to look deeper and expand their perception. Inspired by the beauty of Midway Atoll, I seek to share the diversity and fragility of the marine environment through my art. My love for the ocean is closely connected to my commitment to environmental conservation and protecting the natural world.”

Atlantis
Enchanted by the Sea
Packet Whale

Andrea Siemt

Where nature meets the traces we leave behind…
“Can he still see a place for us from up there?”
Sonnet watercolor on “Montval” by Canson, 300 g, 24 × 32 cm, HP.
Reference: Original image concept inspired by “The Town Musicians of Bremen” by the Brothers Grimm (photo of a fairy tern: Dan Clark)

Kevin Spencer

“This is a watercolor collage, inspired by watching Laysan Albatross soaring overhead and along the cliffs of Kauai over several February visits. The pieces used in the collage were from my late father's practice watercolor paintings. I used one of his signatures from one of those paintings and along with mine, shows that it was a collaborative effort.”

Tlell Wolf – Three Submissions

“A silly ua’u kani that was sitting on an egg midday in the open.” Media: gouache on paper.

“Painted from-life, to-scale of a mōlī that died of natural causes and from a mōlī skull.”
Medium: Ballpoint pen, brown ink wash, watercolor and gouache on paper.

“A repeating pattern of mōlī (Laysan albatross), ka’upu (Black-footed albatross), and makalena (Short-tailed albatross.” Acrylic on paper.

Hanna White

My piece is titled “Two Seals.” When researching the nature and wildlife of Kuaihelani, I decided to make monk seals the primary focus of my piece because I love marine biology. The piece depicts an adult monk seal and its baby enjoying time together in the sand, surrounded by cool waves. In addition, I added a Black-footed Albatross in the sky, plants, and a Hibiscus flower in the word Kuaihelani to highlight the Midway Atoll's diversity. I created this using acrylic on canvas.

Lucy Stevenot

‘Akekeke (Arenaria interpres). Water-based paints.

“A tireless traveler: swirling brushwork echoes the wind and ocean these small birds carry within them, while the ‘Akekeke itself holds calm and steady at the center, its bold plumage anchoring the composition against a warm tide of coral and rust.”

Sarah Youngren – Two Submissions

“The albatross chick is from a photo I captured, of a curious LAAL kid, while I was wandering around behind the store eating *Häagen*–*Dazs* ice cream June 2026. Kid was super engaged and inquisitive, with a stellar floofy down coat . Media for this piece is the assortment of ‘brushes’ in photoshop on iPad but very similar to my art style in many media. I just keep sculpting and adding layers with bright pops of color until the friend pops into being in all the colors they embody (even if they happen to be mostly covered in grey brown floof).”

“The white tern pair are from a photo I captured, as they were chattering away at me as I wandered around looking intently at the ground for ants in the boneyard, June 2026. Media is assorted ‘brushes’ in photoshop for iPad. I tried to capture the essence of the subtle yet complex detail of white birds with the background of sorta cloudy whiteish sky, I like how it resembles the Dixie cups of my childhood.”

A special thank you to FOMA's Art Contest Committee, Pam Repp, Keelee Martin and Krystal Winn, for their time spent in creating, organizing and running the Art Contest.