Artist Nihaar Pinninti stands with his father and art teachers, displaying Nihaar’s painting titled “A Stellar Impact — The Legacy of Gene Shoemaker.”.

In a remarkable demonstration of talent and dedication, Nihaar Pinninti, a 10th grader from Troy High School in Fullerton, has been awarded first place—and a $1,500 cash prize—in the inaugural 2026 ARTEFFECT Summer Competition for his artwork titled “A Stellar Impact — The Legacy of Gene Shoemaker.”

The competition, held for the first time this year, exceeded organizers’ expectations, drawing many submissions and resulting in the selection of 71 finalists. Pinninti’s artwork honors Gene Shoemaker, a renowned planetary scientist whose groundbreaking research advanced the understanding of impact craters and contributed to the Apollo space program.

In an interview after being named a finalist, Nihaar expressed his admiration for Shoemaker’s contributions to science.

“He really enjoyed what he did,” he noted, emphasizing that Shoemaker’s passion for his work set him apart from others who might pursue their careers for fame or money. “He always had a smile on his face,” Nihaar added, praising the scientist’s unwavering dedication even after retirement.

The judges were particularly impressed with Nihaar’s portrayal of Shoemaker, highlighting the expressive quality of the scientist’s face in the artwork. Organizers commended Nihaar for skillfully using reference photographs while infusing his own creative interpretation to capture Shoemaker’s personality and passion for planetary research.

Nihaar began with thumbnail sketches to explore different compositions. Ultimately, he crafted a three-tiered design with the viewer in the foreground, a crater in the background, and outer space beyond. He used a watercolor base to establish strong colors and wax-based colored pencils for intricate details. Throughout the creation process, Nihaar balanced detail to keep Shoemaker as the focal point. He carefully considered color choices, particularly for the scientist’s shirt, ultimately choosing blue to enhance the overall composition.

Upon receiving the award, Nihaar expressed both surprise and gratitude to those who supported him. He thanked his father, Hari Pinninti, for his constant encouragement and for driving him to classes. Nihaar also recognized the significant role his teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Lee, played in guiding him through the process, helping him gather materials, and introducing him to the competition.

In addition to the recognition, the award will be publicized through a press release and shared across social media platforms, reaching an audience of over 15,000 people.

As part of ARTEFFECT’s collection, Nihaar’s artwork will join the works of 43 other students currently on display in Washington, D.C. His piece showcases his artistic skills while embodying the spirit of scientific discovery, inspired by a legendary figure in planetary research.