University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum introduced two new awards at the 2026 Weekend Conference Nov 6 & 7. The Spark Award celebrates the beginning of an artistic journey and the Legacy Award celebrates the extraordinary places that journey can lead.
This year’s Spark Award winner is eight-year-old Conor Campbell from Sycamore, Ohio, with his submission “The Magical Colorful Tree.” Established through a national art competition for young artists ages 8–13, the Spark Award recognizes the creativity, originality, and imagination of an emerging artist. This summer, participants were invited to create an original work of art, accompanied by a caption, using traditional artistic mediums. Our inaugural jury brought together three distinguished illustrators: Matthew Reinhart, Ruth Sanderson, and Tom Lichtenheld.
According to Dan Chudzinski, Mazza Museum Director, “The Spark Award celebrates the moment an artist’s imagination first takes flight. But what happens when that spark is nurtured over a lifetime? When an artist’s inner world becomes so vivid and extraordinary that it begins to transform the worlds of others?”
That is the inspiration behind the Mazza Museum’s second honor: the Legacy Award. It recognizes an artist whose contributions have left an enduring mark on the world of picture book illustration, whose imagination has inspired generations, and whose generosity has helped ensure that future artists will have the opportunity to dream, create, and discover.
Matthew Reinhart was announced as the first recipient of the Legacy award. A gifted paper engineer, Reinhart has spent his career expanding the possibilities of the picture book, transforming paper into intricate, imaginative worlds. But his connection to the Mazza Museum extends far beyond his artistic achievements. A longtime friend, advocate, and supporter, Matthew has generously donated a significant portion of his life’s work to the Museum’s collection. Most notably, his contributions helped make possible the establishment of the Laiho Gallery in 2015, the world’s first gallery space dedicated to paper engineering.
“Reinhart’s generosity has helped preserve an extraordinary art form, inspire countless visitors, and create a lasting resource for artists and audiences alike,” Chudzinski added.
The medallions that Reinhart and Campbell received were designed and created by Chudzinski. The two awards are also united by their design. Each medallion has been hand-sculpted and carries its own symbolism. The Spark Award depicts a child’s cupped hands cradling a spark, formed in the negative space between them. The Legacy Award features the hands of a mature artist opening to reveal a sunrise over a vast imagined landscape, inspired by L. Frank Baum’s world of Oz.
“Both are designed to be displayed before a window, allowing light to pass through and cast their image into the artist’s studio: a lasting reminder that the creative light we carry within us has the power to illuminate the world beyond,” said Chudzinski.
Do you know a child that could be the next great picture book illustrator? Information for the 2027 Spark Award will be released in January of 2027 and will be posted to the Mazza website at mazzamuseum.org. For questions about the award, email mazzaspark@findlay.edu.
For more information on the University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum, or to schedule a visit, go to mazzamuseum.org.
