Somewhere among paintbrushes, cameras, and a sprawling 260-foot mural, America discovered its newest young artistic sensation.

Colossal, the nationally recognized fundraising platform known for purpose-driven online competitions, has officially crowned Pearse as this year’s America’s Most Artistic Kid. The title honors creativity, originality, and artistic talent on a national stage. As the winner, Pearse will receive a $20,000 grand prize, appear in an upcoming episode of The Joy of Painting with Nicholas Hankins on public television, and showcase her artwork at the Bob Ross Experience exhibit inside Minnetrista Museum & Gardens.

Organized by Colossal alongside DTCare, Bob Ross Inc., and Blood Cancer United®—a leading nonprofit supporting individuals and families affected by blood cancer—the competition brought together thousands of young artists nationwide. The campaign also raised an impressive $1,665,882 for blood cancer support initiatives.

The proceeds will further Blood Cancer United’s mission to advance treatments, fund groundbreaking research, and improve the lives of patients and families dealing with blood cancers. The organization also supports pediatric hospital programs and emotional care services, ensuring children and their loved ones receive both medical and personal support throughout treatment.

America’s Most Artistic Kid operates as a fundraising initiative for DTCare, a registered U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which directs funds raised through the competition to Blood Cancer United.

Creativity and Healing
For children battling cancer, artistic expression often becomes more than a hobby—it serves as an important therapeutic outlet. Through art therapy and creative programs in hospitals, young patients can communicate emotions, build connections, and experience moments of comfort during difficult treatments.

“Art provides these children with a meaningful way to express themselves,” said Dr. Andy Kolb, CEO of Blood Cancer United. “It allows them to process emotions, engage with the world differently, and ultimately becomes part of their healing journey.”

Hosted by David Arquette
Actor, visual artist, and devoted Bob Ross enthusiast David Arquette hosted this year’s competition. As a Certified Ross Instructor®, Arquette combines his background in street art with landscape painting and inspired participants through virtual workshops designed to encourage fearless creativity.

Partnership With Minnetrista Museum & Gardens
Based in Muncie, Indiana, Minnetrista Museum & Gardens houses the Bob Ross Experience, an immersive exhibit dedicated to the beloved painter’s legacy. Visitors can explore Ross’ original filming studio, a recreated 1980s-style living room, galleries featuring his artwork, painting workshops, and personal memorabilia celebrating his life and influence.

Pearse: America’s Most Artistic Kid
Pearse captured attention not only for her dynamic artistic style but also for her commitment to community involvement. Her colorful, energetic creations span painting, crocheting, ceramics, and even welding. One of her most notable projects was designing a 260-foot mural for her local YMCA, where she encouraged community members to contribute supplies and participate in bringing the mural to life.

Audiences can look forward to seeing Pearse featured in an upcoming episode of The Joy of Painting with Nicholas Hankins, introducing a fresh generation of artistic inspiration to viewers across the country.

Artist’s Pick: Cadence
Cadence also earned recognition for her remarkably lifelike and emotionally expressive oil paintings. A self-taught artist who began creating art at the age of two, she credits her late uncle as a major inspiration and says his influence guides every piece she paints. This fall, Cadence plans to attend art school while continuing work on three illustrated children’s books she is both writing and illustrating.

Click here to know more.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your career journey so far.
Hello, I’m Natalie! I currently work as a Senior HR Operations Analyst at GoDaddy, but my path here began in 2020 when I joined as an HR Operations Intern. At the time, I was pursuing a degree in Human Resources Management and Business Analytics at the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business, and the internship offered the perfect mix of both fields. After finishing the program, I came on board full-time in 2021. Since then, I’ve graduated, relocated to Southern California, and continued building my career with GoDaddy. My time here has been shaped by continuous learning, growth, and the opportunity to work on projects that connect people, processes, and technology.

What real-world challenges does your team help address?
My role focuses on supporting HR teams who, in turn, support employees across GoDaddy. Much of this is done through our ServiceNow platform. For example, whenever an employee reaches out for help through our Get Help portal, my team has played a part in making that experience seamless, partnering closely with both HR and ServiceNow Engineering.

I’ve carved out a niche in reporting and analytics within HR Operations. Using data from ServiceNow, I create dashboards and perform deeper analysis to answer questions such as: “How quickly are HR inquiries resolved?”, “How satisfied are employees with the support they receive?”, and “Which types of requests are most complex, and how can we simplify them?” Ultimately, our goal is to create smooth, efficient interactions between employees and HR partners, and I provide the insights that highlight where we’re succeeding and where we can improve.

What has been your biggest learning experience over the past year?
Over the last year, I’ve embraced GoDaddy’s company-wide push toward experimentation. Adopting this mindset has encouraged me to take more creative risks in my work. I’ve realized that progress often comes from trying ideas rather than overanalyzing them. While not every attempt is a success, each effort moves things forward and provides valuable lessons along the way.

How has HR Operations changed in recent years?
Since I started at GoDaddy, I’ve seen HR Operations transform significantly—especially as our workforce has become more global. Our team is responsible for ensuring HR processes remain streamlined and consistent worldwide. One of the most rewarding challenges is creating systems that are scalable, easy to use, and adaptable to local laws and cultural nuances. Striking that balance is complex but incredibly fulfilling.

What do you value most about GoDaddy’s culture?
Collaboration really stands out to me. People here are approachable, curious, and eager to work together to achieve better results. There’s a genuine sense of teamwork and commitment to creating meaningful impact.

What do you enjoy outside of work?
Outside the office, I love immersing myself in the arts and music scene. I’ve been oil painting for several years and recently started exploring ceramics, which has been a fun new challenge. Taking art classes is one of my favorite ways to express creativity and connect with the local community here in San Diego. As for music, while I don’t play instruments and keep my singing to car rides, I’m a huge live music fan—you’ll usually find me at concerts whenever one of my favorite bands is in town.

Want to learn more about life at GoDaddy?
Follow our GoDaddy Life social pages to meet the team, explore our culture, and discover career opportunities. At GoDaddy, you’re more than just your role—come grow your career with us!