Napa Valley Register – Vintage High student's art will be displayed at U.S. Capitol
By Register staff
Viviana Garcia from Vintage High School is the winner of the 2015 Congressional Art Competition, U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson announced on Tuesday.
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 24. Garcia is taught by Christine Golik.
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 in a news release. "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.