Steamship Authority announces winners of annual student art contest
FALMOUTH (August 22, 2025) – The Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority is pleased to announce the winners of its 10th annual “Sail into Imagination” art contest for students in grades kindergarten through 12. The winning artwork will be showcased in a 2026 calendar and on board its ferries this fall and winter.
More than 200 students submitted original artwork inspired by the theme “Sail into Imagination,” which encourages students to celebrate our shared heritage of the sea. Students attending schools on Cape Cod, plus residents of Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Fairhaven, and New Bedford, were invited to participate.
“We’re always excited to see the incredible artwork that comes in from this contest, and this year definitely didn’t disappoint,” said Sean F. Driscoll, communications director for the SSA. “It’s inspiring to see the imagination and talent these students pour into their pieces. We’re truly grateful to everyone who shared their art with us.”
Each winner will receive a $100 Steamship Authority gift card, valid for travel, parking, or on-board concessions. Also, student Flora Becker of the West Tisbury School in West Tisbury has been selected as the winner of a $150 Visa gift card in a grand prize drawing open to all entrants in the contest.
The Steamship Authority extends its sincere thanks to Anastaci Pacella, co-executive director, curator, and founder of The Cordial Eye of Hyannis for her assistance in judging the art submissions.
A limited quantity of calendars will be available for pickup at Steamship Authority terminals starting in November. Posters with winning artwork will also be displayed on board Authority vessels.
The 2026 calendar winners follow, including their name, grade, school, and the name of their artwork. All winning art may be viewed at https://bit.ly/2026_SSAcalendar.
Lewis Buckley
Grade 4, Nantucket Intermediate School, Nantucket
Theo Dowie
Grade 8, Sandwich Middle-High School, East Sandwich
Eloise Drowne
Grade 6, Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School, East Harwich
Anaiah Eller
Grade 5, Nantucket Intermediate School, Nantucket
Carter Escandel
Grade 6, Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School, East Harwich
Shreeya GC
Grade 5, Barnstable United Elementary School, Barnstable
Isabella Kowal
Grade 9, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational-Technical High School
Bella Langley
Grade 9, Falmouth High School, Falmouth
Estelle Mason
Grade 4, Chilmark School, Chilmark
Izzy McCarthy
Grade 10, Mashpee Middle-High School, Mashpee
Boonraksa Montoya
Grade 2, Chilmark School, Chilmark
Lara Oliveira
Grade 5, Barnstable United Elementary School, Barnstable
Brodie Perry
Grade 11, Mashpee Middle-High School, Mashpee
Kyla Rose
Grade 7, Mashpee Middle-High School, Mashpee
Gus Thompson
Grade 1, Nantucket Elementary School, Nantucket
Since 1960, the Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority has served as the transportation lifeline to the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard year-round. The Steamship Authority is the largest ferry service to the islands and offers the most frequent daily departures for passengers, automobiles, groups and trucks. In 2024, more than 2.9 million passengers and nearly 674,000 vehicles of all sizes were transported to and from the islands. Our U.S. Coast Guard-certified crews are committed to the highest level of safety at sea while our vessels offer comfort and convenience with spacious seating, free Wi-Fi and TV on board.