By VERNON ROBISON
Moapa Valley Progress
The prize-winning photographic artistry of one Moapa Valley High School student has been on display to a large viewship throughout the southern Nevada region over the past month. MVHS photography student Kristina Johnson, was selected as a 2nd place winner in the annual Walker Furniture “Home for the Holidays” photography contest.
The “Home for the Holidays” campaign has brought joy to hundreds of needy families in the region since it was begun in 1994. Each year, Walker Furniture accepts nominations of individuals and families in Clark County who are in need. Their search results in 30 recipients receiving an entire houseful of new furniture in time for the holidays.
As part of this initiative, Walker Furniture also holds a photo contest to provide artwork for advertising and marketing for the program.
Johnson submitted her photo, “Native Glare,” in the contest. The photo depicts her younger brother, Zavion Jim, holding a traditional Navajo basket that was made by Johnson’s grandmother.
The photo won Best of Show at the MVHS Photography exhibit last spring and is currently hanging at a place of honor in the administration office at the school.
“When I made the photo, I was looking for ways of putting my own culture into the assignments that we were being given in class,” Johnson said. “I thought that it would be cool to have my grandma’s basket in the photo. I thought it turned out good.”
The judges of the Walker Furniture contest were also impressed by the image. It was awarded as 2nd place winner in the contest and was published in a full page advertisement in the Las Vegas Review Journal in November. It also appears on the Walker Furniture website.
Asked what her little brother thinks of his image appearing in such high profile spots, Johnson said, “He thinks it is pretty cool. He saw the photo in the newspaper and hanging up at the school and he says, ‘Look, that’s me!’”
