Students take creative stand against smoking in Stanislaus County art competition
Stanislaus County students are using art to take a stand against nicotine addiction in the second annual art competition hosted by Creation4Cessation, a youth-led nonprofit focused on quitting smoking through art.
The event, which aims to promote tobacco cessation and healthy living through art, will be held Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Mary Stuart Rogers Center on the Modesto Junior College West Campus. It will feature around 30 original pieces created by middle and high school students from across the county. City Councilmember Jeremiah Williams and Stanislaus Tobacco Prevention Action Team Grant Manager Lupe Delgado will also speak at the event.
Founded in June 2023 by Modesto High School junior Sabrina Toor, Creation4Cessation was born out of a desire to confront the growing vaping epidemic among teens and the broader impacts of smoking in the community. Toor was inspired by a story from a family friend, who shared how a creative anti-smoking poster helped her daughter steer away from nicotine and other harmful behaviors.
“Over the past two years, I’ve felt incredibly fortunate to see Creation4Cessation grow its reach in the community. I’m so grateful that this year’s exhibition will include amazing partners like the Stanislaus Tobacco Prevention Action Team, Empower8, and the Early Childhood Education with Modesto City Schools,” said Toor. “I’m especially excited to see the student art and the pieces that best capture our message. More than anything, I hope this event helps us expand our impact even further in the form of bringing people together and sparking conversations.”
The nonprofit’s approach, which blends art and activism, seeks to empower youth to take a stand against addiction using creativity. This year’s competition invited students to submit artwork related to quitting nicotine, resisting peer pressure and embracing a healthier life. Accepted media included painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, digital art or “any creative expression that inspires change.”
The submission deadline was earlier this month. Finalists will have their work showcased at Friday’s event, with top entries earning cash prizes: $1,000 for first place, $500 for second and $250 for third.
Creation4Cessation has grown in reach with support from Modesto Mayor Sue Zwahlen, the Stanislaus County Office of Education and the Boys and Girls Club, according to its website. The nonprofit hopes to continue using creativity as a powerful, healing force that can help young people confront addiction and make healthier choices.
This story was originally published May 20, 2025 at 1:14 PM.
