An award ceremony was held for the creators of the top works in the 2nd Japan Drawing Contest held at the Consulate-General of Japan in Atlanta. Submissions were accepted from November 2011 through February 2012, and while the theme of the first contest was “My Message to Children in Japan’s Disaster Area,” the second contest’s theme was “Cherry Blossoms.” This is to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Japan’s gift of cherry trees to the United States, which occurs this year.

    With 150 entries in the first contest, and roughly 700 for the second contest, art experts were called in to judge the entries, choosing first, second, and third place pieces in each age group. On the day of the award ceremony, 13 of 21 total winners were present to receive prizes and award certificates from Consul General Hanatani.