Just Earth – Cincinnati, in collaboration with new and longtime partners, aims to educate and facilitate action among residents of the Cincinnati region to address the intersecting crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental injustice. The Just Earth Visual Art Competition, open to 2 categories of artists (18 and under, and 19 and over) called for submissions that expressed warnings for the future, images of celebration, images depicting regret or loss, or pieces of art depicting hope and exaltation over a healthy world and all of life’s cycles. Submissions were judged by a committee of local artist and art educators and prizes were awarded for 1st ($500); 2nd ($250); and 3rd ($100) place.

Tym’Shay Akins, a student in Ms. Schorsch’s Studio Art Foundations class, was recently awarded 2nd place for her submission, “Stop Chemical Waste”!

Stop Chemical Waste
Tym’Shay Akins

“My artwork responds to the growing environmental crisis caused by pollution and chemical waste in the ocean. I created this piece to raise awareness about the damage humans are causing to marine life through careless dumping, plastic waste, and toxic chemicals. The artwork is meant to confront viewers with the reality that the ocean is suffering because of human actions, while also encouraging people to take responsibility before it is too late.

One of the main symbols in my artwork is the large “X” placed over the fish. The “X” represents death, danger, and the destruction of sea life caused by pollution and toxins in the water. It symbolizes how marine animals are being harmed by chemicals, oil spills, plastic waste, and contaminated environments that humans create. I specifically included sea creatures like dolphins and turtles because they are animals people often love and connect with emotionally, yet they are still endangered by human behavior.

I used bright, bold colors to immediately grab the viewer’s attention. The vibrant colors are meant to draw people in at first, but once they look closer, they notice the darker message about environmental destruction. The contrast between the colorful design and the serious subject matter reflects how pollution is often ignored even though it is happening all around us. The words “Stop Chemical Waste” serve as a direct call to action, pushing viewers to think about their own habits and the ways they may contribute to pollution every day.

My artwork is also a warning for the future. If people continue to ignore environmental issues and refuse to change harmful behaviors, many ocean animals could disappear forever. I want viewers to understand that small actions, like recycling plastic bottles or reducing waste, actually matter. The piece challenges people not to simply feel sorry for the animals, but to recognize their own role in the problem and take action to help protect the environment. Through this artwork, I hope to inspire awareness, responsibility, and change before the damage becomes irreversible”.