Celebrating Vermont's Young Artists in the Halls of Congress

Dear Fellow Vermonter,

One of the many things that I find remarkable about our state is that, in every corner, you can find Vermonters creating beautiful and powerful pieces of art. From street murals to galleries, I see extraordinary artwork coming out of our communities all the time, and that includes from artists of all generations.

Today, I hope you will join me in celebrating some young Vermonters whose art was honored in the latest Congressional Art Competition.

This national competition, originally founded by former Vermont Senator Jim Jeffords, provides members of the U.S. House of Representatives the chance to sponsor a high school arts competition in their district to recognize and encourage young developing artists. The winning submission is displayed in the halls of the United States Capitol for a whole year, brightening an otherwise gloomy hallway that members pass every day on their way to vote.

Recently, with the help of now-Senator Welch’s office, the Bernie Buzz had the opportunity to interview some of the 2022 honorees about their art. Below you’ll find their Congressional Art Competition pieces as well as some highlights from the conversation. You can read the full Q&A and see the art pieces in our online gallery, here.

Congresswoman Becca Balint will be hosting the competition this year. If you know a young Vermont artist who might be interested, stay tuned to her website for more details.

If you know a Vermont artist, of any generation, who you think should be featured in the Bernie Buzz, please nominate them here.

Congratulations again to these young artists. We can’t wait to see what you do next!

Sincerely, 

Artist's Q&A

Here are some excerpts from the conversations with the honorees. These interviews have been edited for clarity and length.

Interview Excerpt
Q: What inspired you to become an artist? 

A: I have always loved doing art, it is a way to relax and express myself, and I was fortunate in having a progression of amazing teachers that help me find my love for art and painting.

Interview Excerpt 
Q: Why do you think art is important?

A: I think art is important within communities to make the world a little more lively. I always admire the murals throughout Burlington, Vermont whenever I am over there. As a child, having an imagination was something I struggled with. For a few years now, my view on general things has expanded. I’ve found it can make even the smallest things more fun, such as movies, interpretation, and even school assignments.

Interview Excerpt 
Q: What does being an artist mean to you?

A: Being an artist means whatever you want it to mean. To me, being an artist is being hopeful. I live my life trying to see the beauty in all things, trying to find the joy, trying to find the nuance; I believe that if you are not hopeful and excited to live your life each day, something is wrong. That’s not to say that you have to be a perfectly happy person all the time, you just need to have something that keeps you going and looking forward to the future. For me, I find that happiness in art.

Interview Excerpt
Q: Can you tell us a bit about your piece and its meaning? 

A: I created this painting, titled Life on Repeat, to represent the chaos and order of my life. It's a self-portrait that depicts struggles with feeling constantly overwhelmed by the repetition of life. This painting reflects the way I felt in my life during the pandemic, school, and college applications. I wanted to create a sense of order using snippets of repeated acts throughout a common day in my life; as well as incorporate vibrant colors and patterns to form feelings of disarray and stress. 

Interview Excerpt
Q: Do you have any advice for people who are thinking about getting involved in art?

A: There is no wrong way to become an artist, and it really depends on what kind of art you want to make. If you are going for realism, it’s all about really seeing things. Half of it is just learning to really look at what you are drawing, and not looking for what you expect to see, but what is actually there. The other half is looking at your own drawing, and seeing how it’s different from your reference, then fixing it, over and over again. 

Interview Excerpt
Q: What do you think makes art so important? 

A: I honestly could write a book about this. Art, whether it be dancing, singing, playing an instrument, painting, drawing, sculpture, or any of the other ways of expressing yourself, is a way of expressing life. I believe that if you use other art or music as a reference, or try to copy it, it’s never going to be like the original. Just like every person is different, no art can be the same. Everyone has a way of talking, writing, thinking, even carrying themselves. Art is an extension of our beliefs and values. It can change your mood and inspire you. Even if I couldn’t talk or couldn’t hear, I would still be able to show myself through my art. Without showing life and experiences, what are we left with?

Interview Excerpt
Q: What inspired you to create this work?

A: In my art class, I was instructed to create a piece using any medium that contained a form of irony. I chose to exhibit the irony of being able to record any moment in time with our phones, but at what cost? If you’re experiencing a moment while recording it through your phone, are you truly experiencing it? 

Interview Excerpt
Q: What does being an artist mean to you?

A: I’ve always had an immense amount of curiosity and wonder in my life. Growing up the world around me was so fascinating and art came as naturally as breathing. It was my form of self-expression and my family encouraged me in all my crazy creating! Being an artist is like extending your soul into something you can physically grasp. Putting your mind, thoughts, and feelings into a righteous act of humanity.