Meng recognizes teen artists from Queens

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng awarded high schoolers for their artwork. Photo Courtesy of Meng

By Rachel Vick

Artwork from a Bayside high school student will soon be on public display in the U.S. Capitol.

Friends Academy 11th grader Nicole Huang won first place in the The Artistic Discovery contest, Rep. Grace Meng announced on Tuesday.

“The pandemic has provided me with the time and space to create art, and I am so happy that my artwork can be shared for all to see in the nation’s capital,” Huang said.

Her watercolor painting “Arrival of Spring” depicts a young woman walking through cherry blossoms, shadowed by a figure in PPE and a COVID-19 cell.

The contest was launched in 1982 for members of Congress to highlight artists — Meng presented the certificates of recognition to Huang and the runners up from St. Francis Preparatory High School.

“The COVID-19 crisis has allowed our youth to take the time to discover new skills and perfect others,” Meng said. “Natalie’s artwork is an exceptional piece that symbolizes the hope that spring beauty brings; a hope that we all need in order to get through this pandemic together.

Recently graduated senior Kaitlyn Murphy won second place for “Elmhurst 2020” and senior Emilio Espinal-Santiago won third for “Loss and Renaissance.”

“I thank all the students for their participation, and I am proud of all of the future artists from our communities,” Meng added. “I’m glad that despite the pandemic, we were still able to hold the art contest for local students, so that we can continue to recognize their wonderful artistic talents.”