Oakland Student’s Artwork Displayed in U.S. Capitol Exhibit Barbara Lee Hosts Local Winner of Congressional Art Competition
(Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Barbara Lee hosted Ashley Smith, the Ninth Congressional District winner of the 22nd annual Congressional Art Competition, An Artistic Discovery, for the opening of the exhibit at the US Capitol building today. Ms. Smith’s untitled work will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for the year-long exhibit sponsored by more than 300 Members of Congress.
"We are very proud to have Ashley’s work represent our District in the Capitol during the Artistic Discovery exhibit," said Lee. "This is a wonderful way to highlight how art education can enrich the lives of our young people."
More than 33 high school students from the Ninth Congressional District of California, which includes Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Emeryville, Oakland and Piedmont, entered the competition. Ms. Smith’s work was chosen in April to represent California's Ninth Congressional District by a panel of judges in Oakland. Ms. Smith lives in Oakland, where she attends the Paul Robeson School for the Arts.
"Art, music and sports are essential to students' development and to our sense of identity, community, and pride," said Lee. "This art contest is very important for our community because it supports artistic expression and rewards high school students for their outstanding accomplishments."
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