The "Blue Velvet Cake" Cover Art Competition
It is a collaborative effort to bridge the worlds of music and visual art, celebrating the premiere of a piano trio work by composer Nina Iorik.
By inviting young artists in Washington State to submit their designs, we aim to:
Discover and platform local talent from the next generation of visual storytellers.
Champion the theme of Neurodivergent Brilliance, creating a space for visual expression that matches the profound depth of the music.
Integrate authentic artistic perspectives directly into the single release, allowing a visual artist to become an official part of the "Blue Velvet Cake" narrative.
A Statement from the Composer, Nina Iorik, about "Blue Velvet Cake":
"Blue Velvet Cake" is a deeply personal sound world, specifically dedicated to neurodivergent individuals. Musically, it is a blending of professional performance and community voice, written for piano trio (piano, violin, and cello) and a primary audio track. I treat the audio track as the soloist - a central narrator built from the authentic, recorded sounds of neurodivergent children.
My goal with this composition is to challenge traditional auditory expectations, creating a rich, enveloping environment. The winning design will not just accompany the single; it will become the visual face of the music.
"Blue Velvet Cake" Cover Art Competition Results
To our amazing young artists in Washington State: the response to the "Blue Velvet Cake" single release cover art competition has been nothing short of extraordinary!
We received so many absolutely amazing works. The level of creativity, the depth of interpretation of "Blue and Neurodivergent Brilliance," and the sheer talent were inspiring. The judges had an incredibly difficult job, but after much deliberation, we are thrilled to announce the results!
Thank you to all the parents, teachers, and especially the young creative artists who participated and made this competition so meaningful. You are all a vital part of this project.
Official Competition Results
First Place: Hannah Gordon
Hannah’s piece will become the official visual face of the single on Spotify, Apple Music, and other major streaming platforms. She will receive the $50 cash prize, a diploma of recognition, the premiere tickets, and the private meet-and-greet!
Second Place: Vasilisa Dogadchenko, Chloe Batishchev
Third Place: Tatiana Kasianova, Nicole Arzumanyan, Emma Lukiantseva
Honorable Mentions: Zoya Eshwar, Amelia Paul, Noelia Abrecht, Alisa Malkova, Evelyne Slobodian
Congratulations to our Winners!
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Hannah Gordon, 17 years old
First Place (Grand Prize Winner)
“Autism is like a rainbow. It has a bright side and a darker side. But every shade is important and beautiful.”– Rosie Tennant Doran
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Chloe Batishchev, 10 years old
Second Place
“Autism is not a disability; it’s a difference.”
— Chris Packham
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Vasilisa Dogadchenko, 11 years old
Second Place
Music floats around the room and touches everything. In my painting, the notes are floating through the air. I painted "Blue Velvet Cake" because music is like a cake with lots of layers. Each layer is a different feeling. The violin and cello rest against the cake because this music plays inside everyone, especially people who hear things differently. <…>
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Tatiana Kasianova, 17 years old
Third Place
My artwork is centered around a Möbius strip, a symbol often associated with infinity and the neurodivergent community. I imagined it as made up of ocean water and cake icing, inspired by the title "Blue Velvet Cake." The endless surface of the Möbius strip paired with the waters of the vast ocean represent the infinite unique ways of thinking, perceiving, and experiencing the world that individuals on the neurodivergent spectrum have. <…>
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Emma Lukyantseva, 9 years old
Third Place
Dark blue color symbolized sadness and melancholy, time spent reflecting and thinking about the sea of emotions inside me. Light blue symbolizes calm, peace and happiness. Stars represent different people. The human world is as diverse as the Universe. Music is another tool to express person’s emotions.
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Nicole Arzumanyan, 9 years old
Third Place
“Do not fear people with autism; embrace them. Do not spite people with autism; unite them. Do not deny people with autism; accept them, for then their abilities will shine.”
– Paul Issacs
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Zoya Eshwar, 13 years old
Honorable Mention
When I created this piece, I wanted to show how emotions and identity can be both fragile and powerful at the same time. <…> This artwork is my way of saying that every person carries both shadows and light, and together they create the story of who we are.
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Amelia Paul, 8 years old
Honorable Mention
“Why should I cry for not being an apple when I was born an orange? I’d be crying for an illusion; I may as well cry out for not being a horse.”
– Donna Williams
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Evelyne Slobodian, 9 years old
Honorable Mention
Blue is my favorite color because it has so many secrets. It can be sad, but it can also be the most magical color in the world. I painted different layers of a cake because people's feelings have layers too. 'Neurodivergent Brilliance' to me is like a secret superpower—it’s when you see things from a different angle that nobody else noticed. <…>
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Alisa Malova, 8 years old
Honorable Mention
“What makes a child gifted may not always be good grades in school, but a different way of looking at the world and learning.”
– Chuck Grassley
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Noelia Abrecht
Honorable Mention
“The most interesting people you’ll find are ones that don’t fit into your average cardboard box. They’ll make what they need; they’ll make their own boxes.”
– Dr. Temple Grandin
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Rita Iorik, 12 years old (Alt. Honorable mention)
“What makes a child gifted may not always be good grades in school, but a different way of looking at the world and learning.”
– Chuck Grassley