The 2026 Problem Gambling Awareness Art Competition

Visual Arts Award Recipients

First Place

Bill Turner – Oswego, IL
Title: In Deep Water

In Deep Water reflects the struggle of feeling trapped in addiction, like sinking with no clear way out. It captures the constant pull between wanting to break free and being dragged back under. The journey to the surface represents strength and persistence, while finally being able to breathe again, which symbolizes hope, relief, and the possibility of recovery.

Second Place

Carrie Furto – Chicago, IL
Title: The Breakthrough

The Breakthrough captures the isolating emotional landscape of addiction. The central figure, a woman trapped in the grip of problem gambling, exists in a world so consuming that she begins to turn to stone. Yet in a defiant act of strength, she tears open the dark, ominous sky to reveal a brilliant blue beyond, a symbol of hope and the possibility of a life free from addiction. Her green dress echoes this same promise: renewal, growth, and new beginnings.

Third Place

Elana Pardo III – Cary, IL
Title: The Money Lion

The Money Lion symbolizes the way gambling addiction can leave a person feeling trapped and powerless. Featuring lions with manes made of dollar bills confined behind golden bars, the painting illustrates the struggle many individuals face when trying to break free from gambling-related harm.

Above the cage, angels—described by artist Elana as “advocates of good faith and certainty”—offer hope, guidance, and support to the lions below. Extending a rope into the cage, they represent the resources and helping hands available to those seeking recovery.

Ultimately, the painting highlights a pivotal choice: remain confined by the cycle of addiction or begin the climb toward freedom and recovery.

Literacy & Performance Award Recipients

First Place

Christiana Wang – Normal, IL
Title: In The Red

In The Red is a poem that explores the inner logic of gambling addiction and the way regret becomes impossible to separate from hope. The reader looks back at their losses as if any moment could have been the beginning of their downfall, reflecting how addiction traps a person in an endless replay of the past. The poem acknowledges the many forms gambling addiction can take, from casinos and lotteries to card games, and is designed to feel suffocating and breathless, moving from reflection into desperation.

Gambling distorts not only one’s finances, but also one’s sense of self-worth. The final image of being “in the red” is both literal and emotional, representing debt and danger. Rather than observing addiction from the outside, the poem pulls the reader directly into the mindset of someone consumed by it.

Second Place

Emmett Krebaum – Lisle, IL
Title: Hooked

Hooked was created to address the grim reality of problem gambling. It portrays someone initially betting their own money, then turning to loved ones for financial help, and ultimately being abandoned as a consequence of their choices. It reflects a story that has played out many times, with the hope that the work highlights how gambling addiction begins, why it continues, and why it should be avoided.

Third Place

Kevin King Sr. – Chicago, IL
Title: 101 Reasons

101 Reasons was created because Kevin believes that addiction, regardless of its form, shares many of the same struggles and challenges. In this piece, he openly shares his own experiences with adversity and personal growth. Unafraid to be vulnerable, Kevin speaks candidly about his setbacks and failures, using his story to foster connection, understanding, and hope for others facing their own challenges.

First Place

Kathia Mireles – Chicago, IL
Title: Stolen Soul

Kathia’s artwork, “Stolen Soul,” explores the emotional and personal impact of gambling addiction. Through delicate yet haunting watercolor imagery, Kathia illustrates how gambling, which may begin as harmless, can gradually consume the individual and erode their sense of self.

The spreading stains in the piece symbolize the slow, creeping nature of addiction, while the deep reds reflect the intensity and urgency of the gambling experience. At the center, a lost and sorrowful figure conveys the emotional disconnection caused by dependence, stripped of identity and hope. The approaching crow, representing the death of the soul, drives home the devastating toll.

Kathia’s artwork asks a powerful question: “Are you really winning?” This striking piece invites viewers to reflect deeply on the true cost of gambling addiction.

Second Place

Rachel Weaver Rivera – Hinsdale, IL
Title: Take a Chance on Getting Help

Rachel’s piece “Take a Chance on Getting Help” explores the struggles of gambling addiction and the courage it requires to seek help. Through colorful and vivid imagery, Rachel illustrates how the gambling industry creates sensory overload that traps individuals in a cycle of compulsion. Her artwork offers a message of empathy and hope, reminding us that with self-reflection and support, recovery is possible. 

Third Place

Stephany Colunga – Chicago, IL
Title: You Have the Key

Stephany created the sculpture titled You Have the Key. This piece addresses the shame and grief that can make one feel trapped in their addiction to gambling, yet offers a positive outlook. If you are able to look deeply at yourself in the mirror and ask for help, you can find the key to free yourself from your confines.

First Place

Adrienne McConkie – Sycamore, IL
Title: Finding Help

Adrienne McConkie’s artwork, “Finding Help,” delves deep into the internal turmoil of gambling disorder, shedding light on the recent revelation of funds misappropriation within the local music education community. Using oil and acrylic on canvas, McConkie’s piece serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for support and empathy during times of crisis.

Second Place

Pamela Penney – Oak Park, IL
Title: Send Help

Pamela Penney, a resident of Oak Park, intricately weaves a narrative of struggle with her fiber art piece titled “Send Help.” This woven piece of art is a wall hanging…and the shadow that is created forms the words ‘Send Help.’ Depicting the concealed battles of gambling addiction, Penney’s crocheted creation reveals an S.O.S. when illuminated, compelling viewers to confront the harsh realities of gambling disorder and extend a compassionate hand to those in need.

Third Place

Mackenzie Hulke – Normal, IL
Title: Addiction

Mackenzie Hulke, based in Normal, captures the devastating grip of gambling addiction through her evocative photography series titled “Addiction.” One captivating image portrays the symbolic burning of cards, mirroring the unraveling of both the deck and the player’s life. Hulke’s work invites viewers into a reflective dialogue on the profound societal impacts of unchecked addiction.

First Place

Artist: Sara Peak Convery – Chicago

Her captivating artwork combines digital and hybrid elements, blending letters in a digital format with a backdrop created using house paint on a board.

Sara’s use of addiction’s language resonates deeply, skillfully portraying its complexities through bravado, bargaining, fear, denial, and desperation. Although not personally experiencing an overt addiction, Sara believes these words and emotions are familiar to most individuals.

Second Place

Artist: Marissa Bogdansky – Carbondale

“Dinner,” delivers a poignant message about the destructive impact of parents’ gambling on families. This thought-provoking photograph is part of a series that serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by those affected. Marissa’s artwork calls upon us to join forces in the battle against gambling and to maintain a deep sense of empathy for the vulnerable individuals affected by its consequences. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Marissa for her thought-provoking image and offer our congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.

Third Place

Artist: Susan Strange – Northbrook

Problem Gambling: Text for Help and Hope.

Her piece brings attention to the importance of hope and seeking help in overcoming problem gambling. Susan’s intention is to portray the struggles and conflicts associated with problem gambling without any stigmatization or assumptions about the individuals involved. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Supervisor Alcohol and other Drug Counselor, Susan aims to inspire viewers to perceive problem gambling as a challenge rather than a stigma, encouraging them to have hope and seek assistance.