Congressional art winners include Everett Alvarez senior

Makayla Magdaleno, a sophomore at San Benito High School, is the winner of the 2016 Congressional Art Competition: An Artistic Discovery. Her winning piece, “Red Sova”, will be displayed in the halls of the Capitol along with other students’ works from across the country.

“This was my last year hosting the Congressional Art Competition and I continue to be amazed by the works by our local students,” said Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel. “The arts are an important part of the Central Coast’s identity and it is great to see so many young artists add their passion and talent to that rich tradition.”

Magdaleno will travel to Washington, D.C. to be honored at a Congressional reception in June. She also received a $3,000 renewable scholarship from the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Julia Ramos, a senior at Aptos High School, was named the 2nd place winner with her piece “Seeds.” Her artwork will be prominently displayed in the congressman’s Washington office. Alvarez High School senior Jesus Gil was named the third place winner, with “Blue”. His piece will be displayed in the congressman’s Salinas office.

Maya Yokoyama, Aptos High School; Oscar Gonzalez, North Salinas High School; Isabella Arreola, San Benito High School; Meghan Brandt, Georgiana Bruce Kirby and Trinity Esola, Georgiana Bruce Kirby were all selected as Honorable Mentions.

The annual Congressional Art Competition is open to all local high school students in the 20th congressional district. A total of 21 entries were submitted from seven different Central Coast high schools. The entries were judged by Melissa Pickford, Director of the Monterey Peninsula College Art Gallery.

1st Place

2nd Place

3rd Place

Congressional art contest is back! High school students, here's your chance!

The Congressional Art Competition, a yearly contest open to all local high school students in the country, is back again. If you have a two-dimensional work of art worthy of being displayed in the U.S. Capitol,along with other students’ works from across the country, here's your chance.

Each school can submit up to three works of art that display the best of what their students have to offer. Students are allowed to submit various styles and types of art, ranging from paintings and drawings to photography and mixed media pieces up to 28 inches in size. Sculptures and other three dimensional pieces will not be considered. The winners will be determined using criteria based on originality, skill of execution, excellence in use of materials and conceptual strength of the project. All pieces of artwork must be accompanied by a student release form signed by an instructor and submitted by no later than Tuesday, April 28.

Entries can be submitted to Congressman Sam Farr's offices: in Salinas, 100 W. Alisal Street Salinas, CA 93901, or Santa Cruz, 701 Ocean Street, Room 318C, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

A reception announcing the winners will be held on Monday, May 4 at the Salinas Police Activities League Youth Center. The first place winner will travel to Washington, D.C. to be honored at a Congressional reception along with other first place winners from across the nation. The art will then hang on display in the halls of the Capitol.

The second place winner’s artwork will be displayed in the congressman’s Washington office. The artist that earns the third place prize will have their piece displayed in the congressman’s Salinas office.

Last year, Robert Louis Stevenson sophomore Jung Hoon Ki, was awarded first place for his entry “Differing Perception of Covered Eyes.”

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Stevenson's Jung Hoon Ki wins Congressional Art competition

The sophomore at Robert Louis Stevenson School took the first place with his piece “Differing Perception of Covered Eyes." It will be displayed in the halls of the Capitol along with other students’ works from across the country.

“Congratulations to Jung Hoon Ki for his magnificent work of art, ‘Differing Perception of Covered Eyes,’” said Congressman Sam Farr. “Each year I am amazed out how talented our young local artists are. The great tradition of Central Coast artists is definitely represented by this generation."

Ki will travel to Washington, D.C., to be honored at a Congressional reception. He will also receive a $1500 renewable scholarship from the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Cristian Ponce, a junior at Dr. T.J. Owens Gilroy Early College Academy, was named the 2nd place winner with his piece “The Life of the Red Balloon.” His artwork will be prominently displayed in the congressman’s Washington office.

San Benito High School senior Jericho Coquilla was named the third place winner, with “Young Dude”. His piece will be displayed in the congressman’s Salinas office.

The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, over 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nation-wide competition.