3 Surprise area students honored for art

Dysart Schools had three students receive honors in Arizona’s Ninth Congressional District Art Competition, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar.

Abigail Acosta, a junior from Valley Vista High School, won second place for her piece, “Realism Animal Eye Portrait,” done in Prismacolor pencils.

Her work will be on exhibit in Gosar’s Washington, D.C., office for a full year. Additionally, Acosta was awarded a total of $4,500 in scholarships from Mohave Community College and Arizona Western College for her artistic accomplishments.

Parker Fisher, a Valley Vista High School senior, won third place for his drawing, “Sedona Skyline,” also created using Prismacolor pencils.

His artwork will be displayed in the congressman’s district office in Goodyear for a full year. Fisher was awarded a total of $2,500 in scholarships from Mohave Community College and Arizona Western College.

Honorable mention went to Rosela Limas, a junior from Dysart High School. Her piece, “In a Box,” was created using gouache paints. Gosar presented Limas with an honorable mention certificate and a commemorative coin.

This annual competition started in 1982 and was designed to celebrate and encourage student artists from across the nation. Every year, students submit entries to their local representative’s office, and the winners are selected by a panel of congressional district artists.

The winning artwork was unveiled during an award ceremony at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg.

Submissions included various mediums such as paintings, drawings, collages, prints, mixed media, computer generated art, and photographs.