Milford Student Selected To Participate In National Art Competition

MILFORD, CT — A Milford middle school student has been selected to participate in the America's Most Artistic Kid competition. Mila Natalia Aziz is a seventh grader at East Shore Middle School.

The national art contest celebrates young artists and creative expression. The competition includes several rounds of public voting and showcases student artwork on a national platform.

One young artist will display their artwork in the Minnetrista Museum, appear on a special episode of the Bob Ross show The Joy of Painting, and take home $20,000.

Mila is Latina and Jordanian-Palestinian. Her Latina heritage includes Puerto Rican, Ecuadorian, and Peruvian descent, which is central to how she approaches her art.

"For Mila, creating art is a way to humanize lived experiences and affirm dignity, empathy, and shared humanity," her mother, Leslie Navarrete-Navarrete, said.

Mila began formal art instruction at age 10 at the Little Red School of Art & Music in Stratford, where she has studied continuously under the mentorship of Carolyn West.

"This environment has been foundational—nurturing her natural artistic ability while providing consistent guidance, structure, and a safe, encouraging space for her to grow creatively and personally," Navarrete-Navarrete said.

In addition, Mila attends Creative Arts Workshop in New Haven, where she has taken courses in oil painting, drawing, and sketching.

One of Mila’s long-term goals as an artist is to complete a large, full-body portrait of a person, executed in both acrylic and oil painting, Navarrete-Navarrete said. She also began working with watercolor last year and hopes to complete a finished watercolor piece as part of her continued exploration of different media.

In 2024, Mila sold her first painting at the Children’s Business Fair held in Stratford—a one-day event where children create and launch their own small businesses. She also sold her first sculpted figurines and handmade jewelry at the fair.

Learn more about Mila and vote for her by going to America's Most Artistic Kids' website.