Oceanside, CA– On Saturday, U.S. Representative Mike Levin (CA-49) announced that Pacific Ridge School student Ethan Heck, with his piece titled “Churn”, is the winner of the 2023 Congressional Art Competition for California’s 49th Congressional District.
Additionally, Rep. Levin announced that Oceanside High School student Jesse Lopez Garcia, with his piece titled “Slow Motion” won second place; La Costa Canyon High School student Sienna Lawrence, with her piece titled “The Thrift Store” won third place; and Carlsbad High School student Hailey Frescas-Flores, with her piece titled “Star Sick” received the most votes on Rep. Levin’s Facebook page to be the fan favorite.
“The quality and quantity of artwork submitted for this year’s Congressional Art Competition shows how many outstanding young artists there are in our region, and I am proud to recognize their work,” said Rep. Levin. “I want to thank Oceanside Museum of Art Executive Director Maria Mingalone for leading the judging committee and organizing the winning art to be displayed in the Museum for everyone in the community to enjoy. I’m incredibly grateful for all of the student artists, teachers, and judges who made the competition possible, and I look forward to showing off Ethan Heck’s ‘Churn’ in the U.S. Capitol Building later this year.”
Each year, high school students across the nation compete for an opportunity to display their artwork in the United States Capitol alongside winners from other congressional districts. This year, Rep. Levin’s district had a total of 236 submissions from students at 13 high schools including Oceanside High School, Carlsbad High School, Vista High School, Rancho Buena Vista High School, La Costa Canyon High School, Santa Fe Christian School, El Camino High School, Sage Creek High School, Pacific Ridge School, JSerra Catholic High School, San Juan Hills High School, San Dieguito Academy, and Sunset High School. The Oceanside Museum of Art is exhibiting 32 pieces of student art selected by a panel of expert judges.
Five other students were awarded Honorable Mentions, including Sunset High School student Skyler Taylor for “Kyros”, San Dieguito Academy student Bronte Kunkler for “What’s for Dinner, Susan?”, Santa Fe Christian School student Joey Zabrocki for “Breaking Bad”, Carlsbad High School student Shalene Blanchard for “Their World”, and San Dieguito Academy student Henry Clare for “Shoes To Fill”.
All 32 pieces of art honored in this year’s competition will be on display at the Oceanside Museum of Art from April 22 to May 29, 2023.
This year, the panel of judges included Maria Mingalone of the Oceanside Museum of Art; Zach Cordner, Co-Founder and Creative Director of The Osider Magazine; and Claire Kavaya, artist and owner of the Side Street Art Studio in San Clemente.
The cash prizes for the top three winners were provided by Arts Orange County.
To see a full gallery of this year’s artwork submissions, click here.
