EL MONTE – El Monte Union shined a spotlight on their creative student artists during the District’s 20th annual art show, which featured more than 300 works that earned accolades at the 2019 Los Angeles County Fair “America’s Kids” Arts Competition.

More than 300 students from El Monte Union’s six high schools contributed art for the Oct. 22 event. More than 225 pieces were awarded ribbons, including Sweepstakes ribbons and two Outstanding Use of Theme ribbons. All student artists received corsages and certificates of recognition from the District for their work.

Oil, pastel, ink, pencil, acrylic, ceramics, water color, animation, photography, chalk, markers, collage, mixed media and scratch art were among the mediums used to evoke vivid imagery from a variety of genres, including portrait, still life, landscape, abstract, fantasy and edibles.

“El Monte Union students get training in all aspects of creative activity, from beginning to Advanced Placement (AP) art,” Rosemead High School art teacher Rosa Anaya said. “Many students enter my class a bit afraid of making art, but by the end of the year they are producing award-winning level work.”

El Monte High School senior Alex Guzman used colored pencil and one-point perspective to portray a bridge leading to a faraway island in a piece titled “Peaceful Sunset.”

“I’ve been drawing since I was young, mostly animals and people,” Guzman said. “Art classes have helped me expand my knowledge. I’ve learned how to blend colors, use perspective and improve my sketching skills.”

Since 1999, El Monte Union has recognized student excellence in visual arts through the District Art Show, working diligently to augment a robust arts program by expanding courses, developing summer workshops and cultivating an arts culture at each of the schools, instilling in students a passion for the arts.

“Art is an essential component in developing the whole child,” Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga said. “El Monte Union is fully committed to providing the world-class instruction and indispensable tools necessary to allow students to cultivate their creative vision.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

102519_EMUHSD_ARTSHOW1: El Monte Union student artists, with the support of their family, show off corsages and certificates of excellence during the 20th Annual District Art Show, held Oct. 22 at El Monte High School. The exhibit featured more than 300 pieces that earned accolades at the Los Angeles County Fair’s “America’s Kids” Arts competition.

102519_EMUHSD_ARTSHOW2: El Monte Union shined a spotlight on their creative artists during the District’s 20th Annual Art Show, held Oct. 22 at El Monte High. The artwork included four Sweepstakes winners and two Outstanding Use of Theme recipients.