By The Star Staff
Andrea Rosa Caraballo from Ernesto Ramos Antonini Specialized School of the Arts in Yauco was this year’s winner of the Congressional Art Competition organized by Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González Colón.
The winning entry is titled “Por Amor” (For Love). The artist said the work illustrates her vision of Puerto Rico.
“Many people, when they think of Puerto Rico, they think of things like the bomba y plena, the fiestas and peasants,” the 11th grader said. “But when I think of Puerto Rico, I think of the strong men and women who have built our current future and how they have helped us move forward out of love.”
The work shows a lady rocking in a hammock, and next to her a gentleman playing a güiro. The pair are sitting amidst nature in what looks like the backyard of a home.
“I’m sure our panel of judges had a hard time choosing the winner this year,” González Colón said in a written statement. “The work of these young people was impressive, you can see the talent on our island. I congratulate you all for your dedication and creativity, and especially young Andrea from Ramos Antonini School in Yauco, who will exhibit her work in the federal capital for a year.”
Some 60 young people participated in the annual competition.
Although only one work is exhibited in Washington, D.C., other talented young people presented strong pieces in the island contest. Aolani Vélez Velázquez, a ninth grader at Ramos Antonini in Yauco, took second place with her work “Proud” done in colored pencils.
Third place was awarded to two young people: Fabiola Visbal Rodríguez, an 11th grader at Ramos Antonini, with her work “Mancha e’ plátano,” also in colored pencils, and Jeshuam A. Lozada Vicente, a 12th grader at Colegio Bautista in Caguas, with a woodcut titled “The Birth of Doubt.”