In October 2022, CONEXPO-CON/AGG put out the call for submissions for a creative competition with prizes sponsored by Sherwin Williams. The intent of the contest is to showcase big machines and the world of construction, and to encourage creativity in young minds. The contest was open to three age-based categories with monetary prizes for the top three in each category, and entries had to include a piece of construction equipment.
One of our own Highway Equipment & Supply Co. team members saw this as a great opportunity for her 11 year old son, who often dabbled in drawing.
“I saw the advertisement for the contest on LinkedIn and immediately thought of my son, Jax. He has always had a knack for drawing, and he had been watching me sketch characters for my latest children’s book, ‘Bigger Diggers’ so I thought this would be a great way for him to join me in doing something I really enjoy- creating! I loved the idea of this contest promoting creativity and cultivating an interest in equipment, so I encouraged him to enter.” says Mia McGlynn, Highway Marketing Coordinator.
Jaxon set out to create with machine inspirations from what he’d seen (and has even gotten a turn at the controls of), right here, at Highway. He started looking up Volvo Construction Equipment, ultimately setting his sights on a wheel loader concept.
Jaxon’s work paid off! He won third place in his age category with his character, “Wally the Wheel Loader”, which was based on the Volvo Construction Equipment L45H. Jax says he chose the wheel loader because it was a machine he found interesting and reference materials were readily available when he began brainstorming for his project.
The contest was judged by a committee of
CONEXPO-CON/AGG representatives, as well as an employee of Sherwin Williams, and children whose families are in the construction industry. Young committee members were included from the inception of this competition and were really excited about being a part of something that revolved around art and construction.
CONEXPO-CON/AGG & the Association of Equipment Manufacturers hosted this contest to help spread the message to young people that construction is a meaningful, gratifying and lucrative profession. Winning artwork and selected pieces will be displayed as part of an art exhibit at America’s largest construction trade show in Las Vegas this March. Works will be shown in the West Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center throughout the event that takes place every three years.
Jaxon’s Mom is thrilled as you might expect, “I’m extremely proud and excited that Jax has gotten to be a part of this! As an artist, and someone who works in the heavy equipment industry, my heart is overflowing that he has had this opportunity to grow his creative skills around an industry that shapes our world.”
CONEXPO-CON/AGG is the international gathering place every three years for the construction industries, focusing on construction, aggregates, and ready-mixed concrete. The event features exhibits of the latest technologies and innovations in equipment, products, and services, plus extensive industry-targeted education. For more information, or to sign up to attend the Virtual Events being offered by Volvo visit: https://volvoceblog.com/how-to-see-volvo-at-conexpo-2023/.