WASHINGTON — Artwork created by high school students from across the country is now on display in the U.S. Capitol.
“It represents the entire country,” Kelle Strickland, President and CEO of the Congressional Institute told Spectrum News. “It represents the individual interests of high school students across the country, whether they’re from rural or urban areas, whether they’re from the East Coast or the West Coast, or the southern border or the northern border.”
The works of six Kentucky student artists, one chosen from each of the state’s congressional districts, are a part of the Congressional Art Competition display.
“It is viewed and enjoyed and loved by all the members of Congress that pass through those halls every day, as well as thousands of visitors that come to the United States Capitol every year,” Strickland said.
Angela Favela, who graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in Lexington last spring, said her teacher encouraged her to enter a painting. Her piece won the competition and represents Rep. Andy Barr’s, R-Ky., district on the wall.
“I want to say a special thank you to the applicants, their parents and teachers who encourage our youths’ creative abilities,” Barr said in a statement.
“It felt very unreal,” Favela said. “Sometimes I forget that my artwork is even on display in the Capitol. Never would I have thought that it would be there.”
Favela said that a class assignment inspired her painting titled “Vastness” that she created with oil and acrylic.
“My classmates and I had a painting project where we spun a wheel of just random words that could inspire your piece. I just happened to get the word vastness. When I think of vastness, I think of the ocean,” Favela explained. “It’s dark and mysterious. It’s ominous, yet majestic.”
As the winner for Kentucky’s 6th congressional district, Favela took her first trip to Washington, D.C. to see her artwork in person.
“I am very blessed to be given this opportunity to have this experience,” Favela said.
She just started her freshman year at the University of Kentucky and is studying psychology, but art is still on her radar.
“I’m probably hoping to have it as a minor so I could probably go into art therapy and combine the two worlds,” Favela said.
The other Kentucky winners included Jasmine Larkins representing District 1, Zoey Kirchner representing District 2, Ava Emberson representing District 3, Addison Gaskill representing District 4 and Amiee Compton representing District 5.
You can see all the winning art pieces on the Congressional Art Competition website. The winning pieces will remain on display in the Capitol for a full year.