Celebrating creativity: Meet the 2026 District 214, Daily Herald Community Art & Writing Contest winners

Art, poetry and fiction writing aren't talents that are supposed to fade away after high school. But adult life often intrudes.

The annual Arts Unlimited District 214/Daily Herald Community Arts and Writing Contest primarily celebrates adults in our community who, despite the pressures of adulthood, have continued to pursue their passion for the arts. Teens are allowed to enter, too.

We are proud to present the 2026 winners. All of their work will be published in the Daily Herald over the next week.

Here is the complete list of winners:

Visual Art

Judged by Liz Schrenk, former Northwest Suburban High School District 214 art teacher; photographer, designer and owner of Something Blue Photography; and 2024 Arts Unlimited Friend of the Arts recipient.

First place: Joseph Burlini, Arlington Heights, “The Bathers”

Second place: Alyssa Okulitch, Wheeling, “Reflect”

Third place: Madison McBride, Arlington Heights, “The Human Garden”

Prose

Judged by Bill Leece, retired English and journalism teacher, Arts Unlimited Friend of the Arts recipient.

First place: Dennis F. Depcik, Buffalo Grove, “9-1-1”

Second place: Olivia Depcik, Mount Prospect, “Born a Princess”

Third place: Nathan Schaus, Elk Grove Village, “My Papa”

Poetry

Judged by Mary Larson, retired District 214 English teacher and 2023 Friend of the Arts recipient.

First place: Christine Headley, Mount Prospect, “A Writing Teacher Tries to Write a Poem”

Second place: Ashtin Icarus Sagerer, Elk Grove Village, “Eyes of Ocean with Fire Wings”

Third place: Dennis F. Depcik, Buffalo Grove, “The Right Answer”