AHS student’s art to be displayed at U.S. Capitol

Fayola Fayusi won an art contest hosted by Congressman John Garamendi.

A student from Armijo High School in Fairfield was awarded first place this week in an art competition hosted by Congressman John Garamendi.

The art competition recognized nearly two dozen pieces of artwork submitted by students from Garamendi’s district, which includes most of Solano County.

The winning art piece, “Heroes Like Me,” was submitted by Fayola Fayusi. Her piece will be displayed inside the U.S. Capitol as part of an art exhibit there, Garamendi’s office said.

One additional winner was also selected from each county that falls within California’s 3rd Congressional District. Karla Verdin, a Dixon resident and student at Davis Senior High School, was named the Solano County winner for her art piece called “Internal Vision.”

“This competition is a team effort,” Garamendi said in a statement. “Our panel of independent judges performed the tough task of narrowing down the winners. Teachers, parents, and mentors worked behind the scenes to offer encouragement, advice, and inspiration. And most importantly, these students knew they were artists and photographers with something important to say.”

The art competition is held each spring in various Congressional districts across the country. Members of the U.S. House of Representatives sponsor the competition. The competition is open to high school students within a representative’s district.

Participants are allowed to include a wide variety of artwork, including paintings, drawings, two-dimensional collages, prints, mixed art mediums, computer-generated art and photography.

In addition to being displayed in the Capitol, the winning artwork from each district appears on the Congressional Art Competition website.