MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) – Each year, Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture helps to promote the annual Congressional Art Competition.  The organization works with Congressman Garamendi’s Davis office staff to help encourage student participation and also helps with adjudication along with representative other regional arts councils. 

A press release issued by Congressman Garamendi’s office earlier this year said, “The nation-wide high school art competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The annual Congressional Art Competition has always been an occasion to acknowledge and encourage young artists across the nation. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic many students have only further channeled their gifts into creating artwork. During this difficult time, the competition promises those burgeoning artists a unique opportunity to showcase their efforts and ensure their talent receives the recognition it deserves."

Several changes were made to the program this year due to the coronavirus crisis, the California stay-at-home order, and early school closures. The deadline was extended by a month and rather than collecting physical submissions, the program was moved to a digital format. Students who participated submitted photographs of their artwork along with a scanned copy of their release form. The grand prize winner will have their work displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year in a gallery featuring winners from other Congressional districts in the country. The runner-up will have their artwork displayed in the Congressman’s Washington D.C. office.

And drum roll please…. this year’s winners are:

Grand Prize Winner: Amelia in Quarantine by Amelia Villagomez, Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts

Runner Up: Searching for Our Future by Jaclyn Zucco, Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts

Second Runner Up: Stormy Reflections by Amanda Berry, Davis Senior High School

Please join us in celebrating these remarkable young artists for their achievement.

For information about local arts and culture including virtual programs during the pandemic, follow Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture on Facebook or go to yubasutterarts.org.  You may also contact us at [email protected].

About YSA: Yuba Sutter Arts is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide arts programming, education, advocacy, assistance and service to artists, organizations and residents of Yuba and Sutter Counties. The official agency for Yuba and Sutter of the California Arts Council, its programs include the Murals of Live Oak, Cover It! Utility Box Murals, Shakespeare Readers’ Theatre, Veterans Initiative in the Arts projects, Very Special Arts Festival, Harvest the Arts, Arts in Education, Poetry Out Loud, Arts in Corrections, Art Everywhere and many more.