TAMPA -- “The variety and diversity reflects the talent we have here in our hometown, and I couldn’t be more proud,” U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) said before announcing the winners of her 2014 Congressional Art Contest. The announcement was made yesterday during a reception for students, families and art teachers, hosted by the Tampa Museum of Art in downtown Tampa

“The students proved what we know – Tampa Bay is a vibrant, creative community.” According to a recent Creative Industries report, Tampa Bay is home to more than 2,200 arts-related businesses that employ more than 10,000 people.

“The jobs are out there to have an artistic career,” added Dana Warner, Supervisor of Art Education K-12 for Hillsborough County Public Schools. Warner attended the reception and helped to announce some of the awards.

The Annual Congressional Art Competition gives Hillsborough and Pinellas County public and private high school students an opportunity to feature their creative works, including paintings, photographs or drawings. Local artists make up the judging panel.

This year, 63 entries were submitted into the competition by more than a dozen high schools and 48 were chosen by the judging panel to be exhibited at the Tampa Museum of Art. Yesterday, students were recognized in several categories (listed below), but the Congressional Choice Award went to Jairo Argueta of Leto High School for his watercolor painting, “Nature is my Companion.”

 Jairo said he has been drawing all his life, but a pottery class at Leto High School was his first art class. He is now on a pursuit to submit his artwork into any exhibit and competition he comes across in Tampa. “Exhibits let me see other people’s art and I learn more,” he said.

Jairo will travel to Washington, D.C. in June to compete against 435 other high school artists from around the country. Air fare is covered thanks to Southwest Airlines, a sponsor of Rep. Castor’s Congressional Art Competition.

Until then, Jairo, a senior, said he has been doing well in school and is focused on a strong finish in May. He then plans to attend Hillsborough Community College and hopes to one day become an art teacher. The winners and entire exhibition will be on display at the Tampa Museum of Art throughout the rest of this week.

Award Winners

Congressional Choice Award:  Jairo Argueta, Leto

Museum Award:  Joshua Van Dijk, Blake

Photography Award:  Addison Grams, Berkeley Prep

First Place Overall:  Carmelle Kuizon, Academy of Holy Names

Second Place Overall:  Darby Carver, Blake

Third Place Overall:  Logan Weldon, Berkeley Prep

First Place Water Media:  Claire Anderson, Plant

Second Place Water Media:  Lola Rosas, Tampa Prep

Third Place Water Media:  Olivia Santiago, Blake

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