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THOMPSON ANNOUNCES VIVIANA GARCIA AS 2015 CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION WINNER

May 5, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today announced Viviana Garcia from Vintage High School in Napa County as the winner of the 2015 Congressional Art Competition. Garcia's work, titled "Self Portrait" will represent California's 5th Congressional District in the U.S. Capitol, where it will be displayed starting this June for one year. Garcia and a guest will be flown to Washington, D.C. to attend an awards ceremony on June 24th, 2015. Garcia is taught by Christine Golik.

"Congratulations to Viviana on being named our district's 2015 Congressional Art Competition winner" said Thompson. "Her work, along with the work of all of our other student artists, was outstanding. I am impressed every year with our district's artistic talent, and I am especially proud to feature Viviana's ‘Self-Portrait' in the U.S. Capitol."

The portrait was done as a study on the style of Gustave Courbet. It is an oil pastel expressing agony as Gustave Courbet is known for depicting extreme expressions.

Speaking about her piece, Garcia said, "Courbet expressed agonizing feelings. I was inspired to do the same."

"Quiet, pensive and self-directed, Viviana, takes each project beyond the limit," said Golik. "Her self-portrait, after Gustave Courbet, in soft pastels exemplifies her talent. The students, faculty and I are so proud to have her work going to Washington D.C."

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.

Photos of Garcia and her work are below. Her work was selected as the winning entry by judges who chose between her piece and the artwork of other county winners throughout the Fifth Congressional District.

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Garcia and Thompson

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Self Portrait

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.

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