Artwork by two Leyden School District 212 alums will be on display at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C. for a year after the two creatives won the Congressional Art Competition for their respective representative district.
Mariana Calderon Zapet’s artwork won in U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia’s, D-Chicago, 4th Congressional District, and Wilson Rodriguez Parra’s work was chosen by U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, for the 3rd Congressional District.
Both congressional leaders’ district include the village of Franklin Park and SD212.
Zapet’s artwork depicts immigrants working in the fields on United States soil.
“Mariana skillfully references the American flag to show this, with a bright blue sky and red rows of crops (actual painted grass glued to the canvas) to show the dreams of the workers now in the United States. The red also symbolizes the blood, sweat, and tears that they pour into achieving their dreams,” SD212 officials stated in a news release announces the awards.
Parra’s painting is titled “A Hope of Peace” and Ramirez said in an Instagram post that she is proud of the message the artwork will bring to the Capitol building.
“I hope it inspires us to keep our shared commitments to bringing hope, peace, & relief to our communities,” she wrote in the social media post.
The Leyden students, along with others who won in congressional districts across the country, and a guest, were flown to Washington D.C. where they received awards June 20 at the Congressional Art Competition Winner’s Ceremony at the Capitol Visitor Center Congressional Auditorium, according the SD212 release.
“Wilson and Mariana are amazing young adults and artists who are greatly deserving of this high level of recognition,” Superintendent Nick Polyak told Pioneer Press. “Having their art displayed in such a prominent location brings pride to Leyden and our communities.”
According to its website, the Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and highlight their young constituents’ artistic talents.
Students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of district artists select the winning entries.
Since its inception, over 650,000 high school students have been involved in the nationwide competition. The winning artwork is displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol.
