DOWNEY - Rebecca Rosas, a junior at Warren High School, won first place in Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard's 18th annual 34th Congressional District Student Art Competition.Rosas, a student in William Russell's art class, said she created her entry, titled "Autism Speaks," in an effort to "bring attention to autism due to a personal family connection." The artwork has been printed on 2,000 posters to be distributed throughout the year. Coincidentally, April is national Autism Awareness Month. Danielle Andalon, a senior at Warren High, won second place for her acrylic paint piece "Suppressed Creativity." Third place went to Downey High senior Francisco Concha for his digital photography entry "Corruption." Sydney Solomon, a senior at Mayfair High, won Honorable Mention for his white charcoal piece entitled "Despair," and Jacqueline Piza from Elizabeth Learning Center in Cudahy also won Honorable Mention for her collage "One Bite Could Save Your Life." A total of 250 entries were judged on originality, technical skill, artistic presentation and use of color and contrast. As the first place winner, Rosas receives a trip to Washington, D.C., along with a guardian and her art instructor, to attend the June 22 national exhibit. She also receives a $1,000 scholarship, $200 for art supplies and $650 in cash. Other winners also receive cash and scholarships, and each winner's school receives a gift card to purchase supplies to advance their art program. Following an exhibit at the Pico House gallery in Los Angeles, Rosas's artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year, while the other winning artwork will be displayed in Roybal-Allard's district office. All 250 entries will remain on display at the Pico House until May 8. The gallery, located at the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument at Olvera Street, is free and open to the public from Wednesday - Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

********** Published: April 21, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 1