Staten Island Reporter

(STATEN ISLAND/BROOKYLN, NY) – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) today announced Bath Beach, Brooklyn resident Anastasia Kril who attends Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts has won the 2023 Congressional Art Competition for New York's 11th Congressional District. Kril's piece entitled 'Blossoming into Adulthood,' will be displayed in the Capitol for one year alongside the winners from each Congressional District.

The runner-up for this year's competition, Staten Island resident Cesar Angeles Montalvo who attends Curtis High School, will have his piece 'Rebirth,' displayed in Malliotakis' Washington, DC office for one year.

"I was proud to congratulate both Anastasia and Cesar, both extremely talented artists, for winning this year's Congressional Art Competition," said Congresswoman Malliotakis. "Not only do their pieces showcase their fantastic artistic abilities, but they also tell personal stories of reflection, overcoming internal struggles, and their dreams for the future. I'm delighted they chose to share their talents with us; they should be extremely proud of themselves. I look forward to welcoming Anastasia to Washington to see her work on full display in the Capitol this fall."

First Place: Blossoming into Adulthood

Description: "A self-portrait with a pitch black background that brings forth the illuminated face of a teen girl with a dreamy look on her face," Anastasia said. "Her head is inclined to her right and both of her hands move into the same direction in a dance-like motion, Her posture conveys that she is reflecting and dreaming about her future as an aspiring American artist."

Second Place: Rebirth

Description: "Struggle, in particular internal struggle, is something all individuals have experienced, so much so that it can be both the catalyst for a total metamorphosis of the self, a rebirth," Cesar said.

The third and fourth-place winners of this year's art competition will be displayed in Malliotakis' Staten Island and Brooklyn District Offices for one year.

Third Place: 'Blooming Innocence' by Alexandra Schwab of Susan E. Wagner High School on Staten Island

Fourth Place: 'Eyes Wide Open' by Ben Prestino of Xaverian High School in Brooklyn

Original source can be found here.