MIAMI – Christian Sanchez had no idea what he was getting himself into when he entered the Art of Aromas competition and was given the challenge to transform scent into artwork.
The sophomore at Miami Arts Charter in Homestead inhaled so much of Dr. Aromas' "White Velvet," the idea literally exploded in his head.
"I kept smelling it so much, I got a headache," Sanchez said.
Sanchez made a clay impression of his face with flowers exploding out the top of it. His piece, "To Die to a Flower" earned him second place and a $1,500 scholarship.
Approximately 50 high school students between grades 10 to 12 from Miami-Dade County Public Schools' top creative arts schools, New World School of the Arts, Miami Arts Charter Homestead (MAC) and Design & Architecture Senior High School (DASH), submitted entries using a wide variety of mixed visual arts media including sculpture, photography, painting, wire, wax and fabric.
In a cutting edge move within the commercial aroma industry, the Doctor Aromas Foundation introduced the entrants to Doctor Aromas' latest scent which is a floral blend with tones of blooming tuberose, peonies and ylang ylang essential oils. They required the students' creations be inspired by and inclusive of this exciting new fragrance.
Emily Barrera of MAC Homestead took home $2,500 and the first place nod for her 3-D photographic "Blooming Mind" self-portrait.
The $1,500 second place prize went to MAC Homestead's Christian Sanchez' piece, "To Die to a Flower," a study in mixed media. Third place and $500 was awarded to DASH student Savannah Syarat who's "A Walk In My Shoes" had judges fascinated with its wax presentation of "stinky shoes."
"We are thrilled with the results of our first Art of Aromas," said Violeta Horne, director of sales and marketing at Doctor Aromas. "The entries were so creative and varied (that) the judges had a difficult time choosing just three. We are looking forward to the second annual Art of Aromas in 2017."
"We have proven that scent can belong in art. Given the powerful effects of scent to prompt intense feelings and memories we knew this would be a fascinating take on art interpretation, while giving back to our young people," she said.