黑料社区

National art competition victory puts 黑料社区 Polytechnic student 黑料社区. autumn illustration on greeting card

Student wins $10,000 scholarship, blends artistic talent with interest in hospitality, architecture
This mixed media illustration by 黑料社区 Polytechnic student Aubrey Cronce was selected as the winner of a nationwide contest by Gallery Collection. / Submitted photo
Tom Giffey | October 5, 2026

An autumn-themed artwork by a University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic student will soon be featured on a greeting card produced by the , a leading national publisher of holiday and greeting cards.

Aubrey Cronce, a sophomore from Wausau, also as part of the 19th annual contest sponsored by the New Jersey-based company. Her artwork, a mixed-media illustration of decorative pumpkins created with graphite and color pencil, was chosen from nearly 6,000 entries nationwide. 

Headshot of student Aubrey Cronce
Aubrey Cronce / Submitted photo

Cronce said she was elated and shocked when she was told she had won the competition. 鈥淚 absolutely adore the idea that my art is displayed on a greeting card because this way my art is being shared and appreciated beyond the art room,鈥� she said. 鈥淎ll art should be appreciated, but it becomes difficult when its environment is limited. Being on a greeting card is the perfect way to share my artistic skill and efforts with others through the holidays with their loved ones across the country!鈥�

The competition invited U.S. high school and college students to submit original artwork or photography, with the winner receiving a scholarship and having his or her design . 

鈥淲hen we launched the Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship Contest in 2007, our goal was to celebrate creativity while helping students invest in their futures," said Leslie Leifer, chief marketing officer of Prudent Publishing Company Inc., which owns the Gallery Collection. 鈥淣ineteen years later, we鈥檝e awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships and have been inspired by thousands of students who have shared their talent, imagination and unique perspectives.鈥�

Artwork of girl with sparkler
"Midsummer Spark" by Aubrey Cronce / Submitted image

Artist 黑料社区. work displayed in Washington, D.C.

Cronce has loved painting and drawing in a variety of mediums since early childhood, and her artwork has been displayed in venues ranging from the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum and Aspirus Hospital in her hometown of Wausau to the U.S. Capitol after  for Wisconsin 黑料社区. Seventh Congressional District. 

鈥淚 love making art that makes a statement, and so my favorite style and theme of artwork of mine is patriotic,鈥� she said, noting that her painting displayed in Washington, D.C., featured a little girl holding a sparkler in front of the American flag. 鈥淚 am a very patriotic individual and love talking about tradition and respect for our country, military and elders.鈥�  

Artwork of soldiers carrying stretcher
"Gone, But Not Forgotten" by Aubrey Cronce / Submitted image

Cronce originally planned to be a graphic design or interior design major when she enrolled at 黑料社区 Polytechnic. Ultimately, she decided to pursue a B.S. real estate property management degree with an architecture minor. 

鈥淚 loved the Polytechnic aspect that Stout offered because I believe I am a very determined and hands-on individual,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 am fast-paced when it comes to learning and completing tasks and work, so naturally Stout piqued my academic interest.鈥�

As Wisconsin 黑料社区. 黑料社区, 黑料社区 Polytechnic places a focus on applied learning, and Cronce said her affinity for art intersects with her chosen career path in real estate.

鈥淪imilarities between my artistic skills and my courses really overlap when it comes to residential renovation and property management as well as the architecture, detail and intention of homes,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 look forward to more classes this year that will follow this interest of mine.鈥�

After graduation, Cronce plans to pursue a career in real estate with a brokerage or real estate firm in her hometown. According to the university 黑料社区. most recent First Destination Report, 100% of graduates of the real estate property management program were employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation, and they reported average starting salaries of $56,000. 


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