A Ravenna artist is asking for votes after advancing in a competition connected with actor and artist Johnny Depp.
Michael Quesenberry of Ravenna entered The People’s Artist Contest, which welcomes votes from the public to advance artists in the competition. Quesenberry is now ranked in the Top 10 of a group of 80 artists.
The winner will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium’s Salon in Los Angeles.
“This opportunity isn’t just about recognition,” said his partner Heather May. “It’s about showing that artists from small communities like ours can compete on a national stage.”
May said Quesenberry is known for his “distinctive, emotionally driven style” that “blends raw expression with narrative depth,” which she said resonates with online audiences.
The platform allows people to cast one free vote every 24 hours, or cast additional votes for a donation to The Art of Elysium. Voting is open until 7 p.m. May 14 at peoplesartist.org/2026/michael-quesenberry-2.
His page on the platform features many of his creations, many of which he said were inspired by a “brilliant light bulb.” When asked what he would do with the money from the competition, Quesenberry said he would further his art and stories.
“I have endless stories and ideas all tied to the same brilliant light bulb that sparked in my mind so long ago,” he said. Quesenberry said his work focuses on symbolism and “reaching into parts of the mind that are unexplored, often combining bold visual elements with deeply personal narratives.”
Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at dsmith@recordpub.com.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Ravenna man seeks votes in online art contest
Reporting by Diane Smith, Ravenna Record-Courier / Record-Courier
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