Student Awarded Honorable Mention in Congressional Art Competition

Spacebear and Jetpack Boy , a mixed-media artwork by Mount Madonna School (MMS) eighth grade student Ruby Bracher, was awarded an Honorable Mention in ‘An Artistic Discovery,’ a Congressional art competition organized by District 20 Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel). 
 
The competition was open to all local high school students in the 20th Congressional district (as well as 7th and 8th graders from schools with both middle and high programs). A total of 29 entries were submitted from 13 area schools from the district. Bracher and classmates Lucas Caudill and Phoebe Grant were the only middle school students with works in the exhibition.
 
‘I want to challenge Central Coast students to join youth across the country in opening their creative minds and discovering their artistic talents,’ said Congressman Farr. ‘I am proud to play a role in this important competition and I strongly believe that art allows students to think outside the box to solve problems and fosters creativity. The arts are an integral part of our nation’s cultural fabric.’  
 
Students were invited to submit various styles and types of art, ranging from paintings and drawings to photography and mixed media pieces. The winners were determined using criteria based on originality, skill of execution, excellence in use of materials and conceptual strength of the project. The entries were judged by Lynn Diebold, President of the Arts Council for Monterey County, Kim Solano, a local artist and gallery owner and William Keland, Treasurer of the Arts Council for Monterey County.
 
Bracher, a talented and prolific artist whose work is well-known amongst her peers and teachers also designed the artwork appearing on this year’s Ramayana!
####

Photos by Sarah Grant

Contact: Leigh Ann Clifton, Marketing & Communications,
 
Nestled among the redwoods on 355 mountaintop acres, Mount Madonna is a safe and nurturing college-preparatory school that supports students in becoming caring, self-aware and articulate critical thinkers, who are prepared to meet challenges with perseverance, creativity and integrity. The CAIS and WASC accredited program emphasizes academic excellence, creative self-expression and positive character development. Located on Summit Road between Gilroy and Watsonville.