Student's artwork chosen for Thanksgiving race T-shirt

When Caden Means sat down to draw a turkey picture, he had no idea his art would lead him to winning prize money, having his work printed on a T-shirt and alter his family’s Thanksgiving Day plans.

Caden, 11, regularly attends an after school art class at Stumptown Art Studio. A group of youngsters at the studio created turkey artwork earlier this fall and then entered a logo design contest for Bozeman’s annual Huffing for Stuffing Thanksgiving Day Run.

Caden spent one day of class creating his blue-eyed turkey with colorful feathers that stands on a grassy lawn.

“I drew it in pencil, then we colored it with wax crayons and then painted it with water color, which creates bubbles,” he said. “I decided it should have running shorts on.”

His artwork drew the attention of enough folks in an online voting competition that he beat out a handful of other artists in the 8- to 12-year-old age category.

Winning the contest means that Caden’s gobbler will be on the front of the kids run T-shirts this year. In addition, he won $100 cash and a $100 gift certificate to Great Rocky Mountain Toy Company.

“I was really happy and surprised,” Caden said of winning the first art contest he’s ever entered. “I don’t usually paint. I usually like to sketch.”

Because Caden won the contest, his parents, Dave and Shelly Means, decided to move their Thanksgiving celebration to Bozeman this year.

“The whole family was supposed to come here, but when I found out he won I called his aunt and uncle in Bozeman and asked them to host,” Shelly said.

Five family members will participate in the Huffing for Stuffing race. Caden, along with sister Taylor, will compete in the kids race.

After the race, the family will enjoy Thanksgiving dinner. Then Caden has some shopping to do at the toy store.

He said he may even share some of his winnings with Taylor.