Lucille Roybal-Allard Member of Congress Honorary Chair Kayleen Maya-Avilés Valencia, Perez & Echeveste Chair Diane Medina Co-Chair Alycia D. Enciso* Alycia Enciso & Associates Chair Emeritus Anna Sauceda* Finance Chair Committee Members: Ena M. Alcaraz State Farm Insurance Sandra Berg Ellis Paint Company Debbie Hoover Ellis Paint Company Isela Bonada Playa Digital Media Irene Carranza Artist Joseph Coria White Memorial Medical Center Ana Figueroa-Davis 34th CD Liaison Emilia Garcia Burnt Tortilla Creations Allison Kingsley Art Share Los Angeles Ozzie Lopez Lucille Beserra Roybal Youth & Family Center Beatriz G. Mojarro Madres del Este de L.A. - Santa Isabel Lorena Padilla-Melendez Los Angeles Unified School District Albert Esquivel Proctor Valencia, Perez & Echeveste Jose Ramirez Artist Kenneth J. Ramirez L.A. Community College District Lucia Reyes Lorena Sanchez 34th CD Liaison *Past Chair

LOS ANGELES - U.S. Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) invites all interested high school students in California's 34th Congressional District to participate in "Artistic Discovery" - the 2004 Congressional Art Competition.

In 1982 the first Congressional Art competition was held, offering high school students the opportunity to exhibit their artwork in the nation's capitol. Since then, nearly 5,000 local contests have been conducted nationwide, which have involved more than 650,000 high school students. The winning entries from last year's competition are currently on display in Washington, D.C.

"I believe that art transcends cultural barriers and speaks a universal language that binds communities," said Roybal-Allard. "Artistic expression helps create a strong sense of self and fosters a better understanding of multiculturalism. Encouraging our young artists to develop their creative talent is vital to preserving our rich cultural traditions and to improving race relations."

The 34th Congressional District Student Art Competition Committee works with local high schools and community based organizations to provide high school students with contest information for them to work on their entry. The competition is open to students (grades 9-12) residing in the 34th Congressional District. Guidelines and information packets are available at all high school guidance and art departments in the 34th Congressional District. Interested students may contact Lorena Sanchez at Congresswoman Roybal-Allard's district office at (213) 628-9230 for more information.

Important entry information regarding the competition is as follows:

• Deadline: March 1, 2004
• Deliver entry along with official entry form to Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard's District Office at 255 E. Temple Street, Suite 1860, Los Angeles, CA 90012
• Artwork must be two-dimensional, no larger than 30 inches by 30 inches, and within the following categories:
  • Paintings -- oil, watercolors, acrylic, etc.
  • Drawings
  • Prints -- lithographs, silk screens, monotypes, woodcuts, and intaglio methods
    Photograph no smaller than 8 by 10 inches, no computer manipulation allowed. Negative of photo must be attached to qualify
    (Computer generated art not eligible)

The entry must be an original concept; it may not reproduce an image from a third party's work in the same or any other medium; the work may not infringe the rights of any third party; the work may not violate the U.S. Copyright Laws. One entry per student.

The winning entry will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year in a national exhibition where the entry will represent the 34th Congressional District. The winner will also be awarded prizes that include a $1,000 scholarship, a $200 gift certificate for art supplies, and $100 cash. The student, their parents, and/or guardians, and art teacher will travel to Washington D.C. for the opening of the exhibit.

The second, third, and honorary mention entries will be displayed in Congresswoman Roybal-Allard's District Office in the Roybal Federal Building for one year. They will also receive scholarships to attend an accredited 2 or 4 year higher education institution, gift certificates, and cash.

Congresswoman Roybal-Allard (far right) congratulates Kathy Hernandez (right of center) of Mayfair High School who won the 2003 annual Congressional Arts Competition in the 34th District for her color pencil drawing. The competition is open to all high school students who live or attend school in the 34th Congressional District. As the first place winner, Kathy received a gift certificate for art supplies, a free trip to Washington, D.C. and a $1,000 scholarship. In addition, her drawing, titled "Baby Angst," is on display in the U.S. Capitol Building, along with the other national winners. In the photo, Kathy also stands with her parents (left of center). The competition encourages young people to express themselves through the arts, which helps students build self-esteem and find their true potential. For more information about the competition, please call the District Office, 213/628-9230.