DALTON, Ga. — Morris Innovative High School’s Jairo Cruz Flores received second place in the Latin American Association’s art contest, and since the contest launched in 2016, he is the first individual from outside the Atlanta metropolitan area to finish in the top three.

“It was great to have Jairo, and (his piece) was very popular,” said Aixa Pascual, managing director of advocacy for the association.

In addition to receiving a $1,000 check, Flores and his family attended a reception in Atlanta to celebrate the contest’s artists on Sept. 6. He was recognized by Dalton Public Schools for his achievement during last month’s Board of Education meeting.

Flores, 17, is from Mexico and moved to Dalton last October. He’s put his artistic skills to use in a variety of arenas, from painting artwork in Morris Innovative’s restrooms to painting faces during the Creative Arts Guild’s annual festival last month.

When Paige Watts, director of the Translation Academy at Morris Innovative, suggested Flores enter the Latin American Association contest, his expectations were minimal, so finishing second in the state came as a surprise, he explained through Watts, who acted as his translator. As pleased as he was, he was even more thrilled to see his mother, Guadalupe Flores Martinez, so proud, since she had no idea he could gain such recognition for his art.

Flores drew inspiration for his submission, which depicts a female warrior, from an ancient tribal community in Mexico, he said. While some artists struggle depicting humans, Flores enjoys the challenge, whether it be for his contest piece, a favorite teacher, one of his friends or even Batman.

He’s never taken an art class. He’s totally self-taught, and he’s been drawing for more than a decade.

Morris Innovative doesn’t have an art teacher on staff, nor is there a dedicated space for student art, so Watts is searching for a spot around town where student-artists like Flores can showcase their work, she said. “I would love to have a space, because we have lots of kids with great ability.”

Flores and other artists in this contest had their pieces displayed in Atlanta’s Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia, and a major goal of the contest is to show emerging young Latino artists. “We value their work,” Pascual said. “What they have to say is important, we want to encourage them to keep developing as artists, and we want to make sure they are celebrated.” 

Artists have used this contest as a springboard, Pascual said. Last year’s winner, Arantza Peña Popo, was named the winner of the “Doodle for Google” contest — which encourages k-12 students to submit art to be featured as the Google doodle of the day — earlier this year. 

Flores was part of a panel discussion with other student-artists in Atlanta last month, and he was able to meet several government representatives from his Mexican home state, Guanajuato, Pascual said. Each person who entered the contest also had to write an essay in addition to submitting art, and this year’s theme was portraying the undocumented experience. 

“We’re delighted with the outcome of this contest,” Pascual said. Contestants demonstrated “they are aware and sensitive to what is going on around them.” 

Almost since Flores came to Morris Innovative, Watts has been touting his art to all visitors and showing it off at every opportunity, she said. His “art is just beautiful.” 

Watts believed Flores could thrive in the contest, she said. “I like to give our students opportunities (and be) a connector.”

Eva Rodriguez, program manager for the Latin American Association, called Flores “a very talented student.”

“The moment I met Jairo, I knew he was special,” Rodriguez said. “Jairo has a great future ahead … and I look forward to seeing what all is in store for (him).” 

Flores, who dreams of a career where he can use his artistic talents, ideally painting, hopes his artistic triumph motivates others to also pursue their dreams.

“I’ve always knocked on doors,” although most remained closed to him, he said. Now, he understands “some will open.”