OR U.S. House District 1 issued the following announcement on May 12.
Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici announced that Sophia Gard, a senior at Jesuit High School, won the 2022 Congressional Art Competition for Oregon’s First Congressional District.
Sophia’s drawing “Learning to Fly” will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. Participants, judges, parents, and educators joined the Congresswoman for a reception at Beaverton City Hall. A photo of Sophia with the Congresswoman can be downloaded here, and a photo of her art can be downloaded here.
This year’s panel of judges included Raziah Roushan, Executive Director at Tualatin Valley Creates; Ivan Salcido, Public Arts Installation and Conservation Tech at Regional Arts and Culture Council; and Kimberly Howard Wade, Executive Director of Caldera Arts. They described Gard’s work as “unconventional” and commended her unique use of color and shading.
“I thank all of the talented young artists who submitted their work to the Congressional Art Competition this year,” said Congresswoman Bonamici. “Their creativity, expression, and technical ability were truly inspiring. Congratulations to the winner, Sophia Gard, for her impressive drawing ‘Learning to Fly.’ I look forward to seeing it displayed in the Capitol for people all over the country to appreciate.”
“I made this piece because I wanted to reflect on good memories from my childhood,” Sophia Gard said. “I was less strict over the whole process and really let myself enjoy sketching and picking out the colors and I think the fun that I had making this drawing definitely shows through. I’ve never received a prize as big as this for my art, and I am incredibly grateful and excited. I’m most looking forward to meeting the other winners at D.C.! It’s always great to connect with more people who share my passion for art.”
The Congressional Institute will fly Gard and one guest to Washington, D.C. for an award ceremony with other first-place winners from Congressional Districts around the country.
Chloe Peck, a senior at Beaverton High School, received an honorable mention for her digital painting “Ghost Classroom,” which can be viewed here. Her piece will be displayed in Congresswoman Bonamici’s district office for one year.
Bonamici has long been a champion of the arts and arts education. She is the founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional STEAM Caucus, which advocates for the integration of the arts with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.
Original source can be found here
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