LOS ANGELES – Representative Xavier Becerra (CA – 31) announced the winners of his annual 31st Congressional District art competition this past Saturday, May 14, during a ceremony at the Southwest Museum.
The winning piece, “Cultures,” is a mixed media on paper that incorporates pens, markers, acrylic paint and Crayola crayons and was created by Maria Soto, a ninth grader at the East Los Angeles Skills Center. Soto will join Rep. Becerra in Washington, D.C., on June 14 for the national congressional art competition awards ceremony. “Cultures,” will hang in the U.S. Capitol for the duration of one year.
Rep. Becerra received a record 159 submissions from students representing 10 high schools, nonprofit organizations and education centers throughout the 31st Congressional District. Rep. Becerra, who is member of the Board of Regents for the Smithsonian Institution, chose “Cultural Celebration” as the theme of this year’s art competition.
Already a seasoned artist, Soto indicated to Rep. Becerra that she would like to make it her future profession. “I began at a very young age with sculpture, well, Play-Doh sculpture,” Soto said.
Each year, thousands of young artists nationwide participate in the national congressional art competition, “An Artistic Discovery,” in which members of Congress across the country have the privilege of finding many of tomorrow’s great artists. Since 1982, over 650,000 high school students have entered their works of art for consideration.
“This is truly one of my favorite days of the year, and an event I always look forward to hosting,” Rep. Becerra said on Saturday. “To spend an afternoon surrounded by all of these great students and all of this amazing talent is a stunning reminder of the benefits of fostering educational opportunities both in and beyond the classroom. To the students, teachers, parents and guardians, thank you for making this such a memorable experience.”
Other winners of Rep. Becerra’s 2005 art competition include:
- Second Place: Jasmin Quon, a 10th grader from Ribet Academy for her drawing, “The Confusion of the Mayans”
- Third Place: Jennifer Wong, a 12th grader from Franklin High School for her pencil drawing, “Enjoying the Simple Life”
- Honorable Mention: Raizel O’Santos a 12th grader from Eagle Rock High School for her entry, “LA Cultures”
- Honorable Mention: Stephanie Argueta, a 10th grader from the Los Angeles Trade Technical College art program for her entry, “The Beauty of Differences”
In keeping with tradition, the winners of the competition joined Rep. Becerra as guests of the Los Angeles Dodgers and were honored on the field at Dodger Stadium prior to the Sunday, May 15, game against the Atlanta Braves.
Photographs of “Cultures,” Saturday’s event and Sunday’s visit to Dodger Stadium are available to view by clicking here.
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