Young Artist Wins District Art Contest with Ghostly Portraits

A 17‑year‑old from Gateway High School entered a district art contest hoping to honor her Peruvian roots. She originally planned to create her work at a local Hispanic community center, but the place was nearly empty because many staff members feared that any visit could attract immigration officials. The center’s first floor was shut down, leaving only a few employees. The emptiness inspired the artist to paint figures that look like faint ghosts. She used bright but translucent colors to make them appear as if they might or might not be there. The painting shows the vibrancy she wanted to celebrate, but also hints at a sense of uncertainty and fear that she observed. Judges chose her piece as one of the winners. The student admitted she was unhappy with some aspects of the work, and an accidental smudge led her to add more light. That change gave the canvas a dreamlike feel that friends appreciated, and eventually she added the ghostly people.The artwork is titled “A lo cuesta de injusticia, ” which translates roughly to “The Cost of Injustice. ” It marks a departure from her usual portraits and reflects the emotional turmoil she felt while creating it. The contest is part of a national program run by members of the U. S. House and the Congressional Institute, held each spring to recognize high‑school creativity. The winning piece will hang in a tunnel between the Capitol and House buildings for one year, and the artist received tickets to Washington, D. C. , for a winner’s reception. The student said that drawing helps her express feelings she struggles to put into words. The artwork invites viewers to consider how fear and hope coexist in communities facing uncertainty.