Rep. Veasey Awards Young Local Artist
Paola Rivera, sophomore at Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy, chosen to represent the Congressional District in Washington, D.C. in the 2015 Congressional Art Competition
DALLAS/FORT WORTH, TX – On Monday, April 27, Congressman Marc Veasey named Paola Rivera, sophomore from Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy, as the winning student for the 33rd District's Congressional Art Competition. Rivera's winning entry, "Marco," will hang on display in the halls of the U.S. Capitol for a year.
"I am pleased to announce that Paola Rivera will represent the 33rd Congressional District in the halls of our nation's Capital," said Congressman Veasey. "Paola's artwork epitomizes not only the immense talent across the DFW Metroplex, but also showcases the many uses of technology in our world today. I look forward to visitors from all over the country viewing what this talented young woman has captured."
Paola Rivera, sophomore at Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy, poses next to her winning piece "Marco" with Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33.
Over 70 students from schools across the DFW Metroplex participated in this year's art competition, including honorable mentions: Roxanne Munoz, senior at Everman Joe C. Bean High School; Heavenly Najar, seventh grader at Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy; and Diego Paz, senior at Grand Prairie High School. Ms. Rivera's choice to combine the traditional mediums of photography, elements of paint, and technology caught the eyes of the judges. A QR code, located at the bottom right of her piece, directed observers to audio of music played by "Marco," the subject of her piece and a violinist in the symphony at Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy.
As the winner of the art competition, Ms. Rivera is invited to fly to Washington, D.C., in late June to attend the winners' reception, where she will also be able to see her artwork on display in the U.S. Capitol.