Winner of 2016 Congressional Art Competition Announced

ONTARIO, CA – Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) unveiled the winner of the 35th District’s 2016 Congressional Art Competition at an awards ceremony and exhibition yesterday evening at the Museum of History & Art, Ontario. The winning piece, Maybe Tomorrow You’ll Become What You Say by Dalia Marin of A.B. Miller High School, was selected out of 41 pieces submitted from 40 participants representing eight high schools throughout the district.

“The quantity and quality of this year’s submissions were very impressive and serve as an important reminder of just how much the arts enrich lives and enliven our community,” said Torres. “Whether these students become the next Picasso or never pick up a paintbrush again, the arts have helped them expand their creativity and develop skills that apply to all aspects of their academic and professional lives.”

Unlike last year’s competition, this year’s participants were given a theme, Imagine Tomorrow, on which to base their artwork. The pieces displayed reflected a broad interpretation of that theme, focusing on issues ranging from bullying to the environment to technological advances.

In describing her winning painting Marin said, “I’ve imagined many times people becoming what they say and making them eat their words to become what they eat.” Her piece will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Complex for one year, and she is invited to a reception in Washington, DC, honoring winners from throughout the United States. She will also receive two roundtrip tickets courtesy of Southwest Airlines and a scholarship to Savannah College of Art and Design.

“Whether their art work was positive or pessimistic, it has been enlightening to see the future through the eyes of the young people in our community,” continued Torres. “I was inspired by all of the young talent living right here in the 35th District, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for Dalia and the other young artists exhibiting today.”

Winners were selected by a panel of expert judges which included Michele Cairella Filmore, Curator of the Kellogg and Huntley University Art Galleries at Cal Poly Pomona and the Art Consultant/Curator of the LAUSD Art & Artifact Collection & Archives, Edward Gonzalez, local photographer with more than 15 years of professional experience and owner of Kpups Photography.