BOZEMAN — While the Sweet Pea Festival might look a little different this year, it’s still recognizing talent in our community.
And you might recognize this year’s Sweet Pea Poster Winner: Averi Iris Smith.
If you recall, Averi is the 15-year-old artist behind “True Colors,” a painting she created to help raise 1,600 dollars for mental health services.
Now, Averi and her work are getting recognized on a grander stage.
Despite some changes due to COVID-19, a painting of her’s is now the face of festival’s poster — an honor Averi says she hoped to achieve.
“I was, like, sitting next to my mom when she got the phone call and I was doing all of these weird dances,” she says. “Just knowing that you’ve got a part in everything that is Bozeman’s history is really awesome.”
Averi has been painting since she was 10 years old and plans to keep it up.