Local teen in the running for top kid artist and a $20,000 prize

by Kathleen Phalen Tomaselli
4 weeks ago
Hodgdon teen Delilah Seiders, 16, is holding at No.1 in her group in the national Bob Ross competition, America's Top Kid Artist. (Courtesy of Delilah Seiders)

HODGDON, Maine — Still holding on to the first-place slot in her group, a Hodgdon teen is inching closer to being named America’s Most Artistic Kid in the Bob Ross national competition. 

Delilah Seiders, 16, who started the process along with 40,000 other emerging kid artists in the competition about five weeks ago, has held onto the top first or second place spot as public voting spurs her on. 

This oil painting, created by artist Delilah Seiders, 16, is part of her entry for the national Bob Ross competition, America’s Top Kid Artist. (Courtesy of Delilah Seiders)

Each week, the Greater Houlton Christian Academy sophomore creates new pieces, and has about 50 creations on display in the competition. And now she’s hoping the community will visit her page and vote to keep her in the running. 

Group finals end Thursday, and if Seiders remains No. 1 she will advance to the Wildcard Round. 

In the inaugural national competition, in honor of Bob Ross, the painter who believed anyone could be an artist, one young artist will take home $20,000, appear on a special episode of “The Joy of Painting” with Nicholas Hankins, and display their art at the Minnetrista Museum in Muncie, Indiana.

Voting is free for the first vote each day. Additional votes are $1 per vote as a contribution to Blood Cancer United, formerly The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, for blood cancer research, according to the Bob Ross competition. 

Hodgdon teen Delilah Seiders, 16, is holding at No.1 in her group in the national Bob Ross competition, America’s Top Kid Artist. (Courtesy Delilah Seiders)

Seiders, who has been an artist all her life, said she loves sketching and drawing with colored pencils or basic black and white acrylic paints. A recent elective class at school with teacher Samantha Quint has introduced her to oil painting, she said. 

Working with clay sculptures is also an artform she has tried and hopes to learn more about drying and kiln techniques, she said. 

Her dad, Geno Seiders, who owns Seiders Sporting Goods, is perhaps one of her biggest fans. 

“I’m pretty excited about this. She’s constantly drawing in her art book,” he said. “I want to see her take it as far as she can take it.” 

This acrylic painting, created by artist Delilah Seiders, 16, is part of her entry for the national Bob Ross competition, America’s Top Kid Artist. (Courtesy of Delilah Seiders)

Seiders said she gets her inspiration from family and friends.

“I have a strong belief in God,” she said. “And I strive to do better at everything I do. “ 

Winning this competition would be an amazing opportunity for her future and starting a career, she said.   

The grand prize winner will be announced in early May.