Emerald Ridge student Cara Kwon is the winner of the 2021 Congressional Art Competition for Washington’s 10th Congressional District.
Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) noted Kwon was selected by a panel of judges for her acrylic painting depicting her uncle comforting her grandfather in the hospital before he passed away from Alzheimer’s.
Kwon’s painting will be displayed in the United States Capitol for one year next to the art of students from each district across the country.
“I wanted to highlight my grandpa’s hand being held by my uncle, who was the only person allowed to be there with him due to the COVID restrictions, by using vibrant colors on the hand and duller colors in the background so that the viewers could see that first and then their eyes would follow what he is holding,” Kwon said. “I wanted to share this to encourage people to reach out to their close ones as much as possible because once they are gone, they are gone.”
Kwon’s entry was chosen from 23 art submissions. The Congressional Art Competition was launched in 1982 to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of young constituents from across the country with the chance to display their art in the United States Capitol.
Congratulations Cara!