Autry Museum "Visions of California Art Competition"

Autry Museum “Visions of California Art Competition”

High school and middle school students across Los Angeles were asked to enter the art competition held by the Autry Museum of the American West. Students were encouraged to create an artwork based on the theme of “Visions of California.”

Dolores John, a 10th grader at ArTES Magnet High School in San Fernando, California was awarded “Curator’s Choice, First Place Winner”. Dolores art piece presents a powerful message about her Native American grandfather and the loss of the Native American culture.

“The Loss of My Identity”
Dolores John
ArTES Magnet High School
Medium: Printmaking, linoleum cut

“Throughout our history culture has always been a big part of identity, my art piece is a visual of what has been stripped away from my ancestors, the Native Americans, and were molded into what others considered the ideal lifestyle. My art piece shows a Native American man that represents my ancestors before and after the European Western Expansion. Half of the face portrays the culture of the Native Americans with the head dress and the natural habitat, on the opposite side of the face the Native American has a different hairstyle, clothing, and lifestyle that of a European man at the turn of the century. My great grandfather had to give up his heritage. My art piece is to send a message to Californians to rejoice in your culture and never let anyone take it away from you.

Two other artists from ArTES High School also placed in the competition.
Mia Sanchez, 12 grade, placed second for her watercolor that depicts her “Vision of California” as seeing her neighborhood every spring when a carnival is set-up behind a local church. In the foreground you see a self-portrait of the student enjoying the “elotes” and “hot dogs con tocino” from the San Fernando street vendors.

Dan Hernandez, 12th Grade, was awarded Honorable Mention for his piece titled “Cracks in the City. This piece represents Dan’s “Vision of California.” It is a self-portrait of the artist with power lines, and building silhouettes in his hair. In the background the artist wanted to represent the critical drought that California has been experiencing lately.