Costa Recognizes High School Students for Participating in Congressional Art Competition

MERCED, CA - Rep. Jim Costa (CA-16) and the Merced County Arts Council hosted an awards ceremony for Merced County high school students who participated in the 2017 Congressional Art Competition. 34 students from El Capitan High School, Merced High School, Chowchilla High School, Los Banos High School, Pacheco High School, and Atwater High School submitted original artwork for consideration.

"The Congressional Art Competition provides an opportunity for high school students to exercise their creativity and get engaged in the arts," said Rep. Costa. "I am proud of this year's winner, Atwater High School student, Daniela Ornelas, and all the students who submitted artwork in the Congressional Art Competition to share their artistic talent with our community."

Daniela's artwork will hang in the Cannon Tunnel in the United States Capitol building. The second and third place winners' artwork will hang in Congressman Costa's district offices.

"We have some amazing young talent here in Merced," said Colton Dennis, Executive Director of the Merced County Arts Council. "They show us something unique, beautiful, and thoughtful through their art! I'm so happy that Congress has this art competition to highlight the best in our student artists."

Thousands of high school students across the nation are honored for their creative talents by the annual Congressional Art Competition, which first began in 1982. Local competitions are voluntarily hosted by Members of Congress in their home districts, and Congressman Costa enjoys hosting the Congressional Art Competition every year. In June, the winning artwork is sent to Washington, where it hangs in the Cannon Tunnel to be viewed by the millions who visit the Capitol each year. Winners are also invited to the Capitol for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and congressional reception.