Winners Announced for Winter Scene Holiday Card Design Contest

University Relations

Art submissions from Tom Hardcastle, Diane Allen and Michael Rau, three staff members at the University of Arkansas, were picked as winners for the 2018 University Advancement Winter Scene Holiday Card Design Contest hosted this fall.

Photography

Tom Hardcastle's snowy photo of Old Main was chosen as the winner in the photography category and will be used on the holiday card for the Vice Chancellor for Advancement.

Hardcastle is a warehouse manager for University Housing in the Division of Student Affairs and joined the university this summer. He lives in Elkins and has been a photographer since 1993. His favorite things to photograph are still life, night photography and sports.

"My inspiration for this photo was my love for snow and the campus," said Hardcastle. "During one of the big snows, I came up to the campus to take some photos of the buildings. I saw Old Main and thought how majestic it looked in the snow, so I took numerous photos from several angles, but none of them looked better or caught the feeling of winter's cold touch than this one.

"I can't just name one specific thing I love about this campus. I've always loved being here since I was a freshman in college. Being back here as a staff member is quite the honor. To serve the students and provide the support they need to make them successful in becoming a U of A graduate — that is what it is all about."

Hardcastle earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Walton College with a major in transportation.

Painting/Hand Illustration

Diane Allen's mixed media painting of a Razorback making a snow angel was chosen as the winner in the painting/hand illustration category and will be featured on the Office of University Development holiday card.

Allen is the front office manager for the Engineering Research Center and is from Winslow. She has worked for the university since 2009, when she joined University Housing as an admin specialist.

"I wanted to make something that would warm your heart, and - like the Grinch - make your heart feel like it is growing!" Allen said, noting that many can identify with the joy of fresh snow and the impulse of making their own snow angel.

"What can represent the university better than a snow-frolicking Tusk in a vintage Arkansas sweater and scarf?" she said. "He stirs up subconscious emotions of joy, freedom and fun. I can feel the chill and hear the crunch of the snow."

Allen says she loves the rich history of the U of A; serving the students, faculty, staff and guests; and helping make the university a better place. Two of her children, Sarah Allen and Nathan Allen, graduated from the U of A.

Graphic Design

Michael Rau's graphic design entry depicting students building a "snowhog" in front of Old Main was chosen as the winner in the graphic design category and will be featured on the Office of Annual Giving holiday appeal.

Rau is the student support coordinator with the Office of Special Programs for the Graduate School and International Education and is originally from Canton, Michigan. He has been with the U of A for 13 years.

"My inspiration was simple," Rau said. "I just wanted to represent the U of A community having fun building a 'snowhog' and - of course - they were going to do it in the shadow of Old Main."

Rau says what he loves most about the U of A is the "great community with amazing diverse people on campus who all come together as one."