A first-time artist has captured the spotlight in Ponchatoula after winning the annual Strawberry Festival poster contest. Krystal Allen, who had never painted before, surprised even herself by creating the winning design.
From Beginner to Winner
Allen, a customer service manager at State Farm, decided to enter the competition after seeing a post about it online.
Despite having no prior experience, she committed to learning from scratch. She turned to YouTube tutorials and even used AI tools to guide her through the basics, from choosing paints to learning techniques.
Learning the Craft
To build her design, Allen used reference images and a tracing app to sketch out details like strawberries and carnival rides.
She also relied on digital tools for feedback, asking for advice on blending colors and adding depth, especially when working on challenging elements like faces and lighting.
Inspiration Behind the Poster
Allen said she wanted to capture the magic of the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival — especially the glowing lights, live music, and lively atmosphere.
Her goal was to reflect the feeling of being in the crowd at night, surrounded by rides and energy.
The Big Moment
After submitting her poster just before the deadline, Allen didn’t expect much. So when she received a call two weeks later, she assumed it was to pick up her entry.
Instead, she was told she had won.
The news left her overwhelmed, and she said she was proud of what she accomplished in such a short time.
A Message of Possibility
Allen’s story is a reminder that trying something new can lead to unexpected success.
What started as a spontaneous idea turned into a major achievement — and she says she would gladly take on the challenge again in the future.
