Olympian High student named a national finalist in art competition

    The boundaries of art are meant to be pushed and artists are always looking for new and creative ways to display their works. Olympian High Sophomore Ana Estrada has taken her art to an entirely different platform. Her latest creation is being displayed on a life-sized replica of a cow.

    As a part of a national competition sponsored by the Lucerne Dairy Company, Visual and Performing Arts Teacher Elizabeth Exum had her students design and submit art with the theme “The Taste of Moos-sic.” Each project was done drawn on a single sheet of paper and displayed the theme of music as well as images that displayed dairy in an artistic way.

    The students then submitted their small drawings and a descriptive essay to Lucerne for consideration. Estrada’s was chosen as one of 30 national finalists from among over 9,600 entries. Her piece is called “Que Alegre La Moo-sica Del Moo-riachi” which in English means “What Joy the Mariachi Music Brings” and it depicts animated cow characters as mariachi musicians and as folkloric dancers.

    Once Estrada was named a finalist, Lucerne sent a life-sized plastic cow for her to paint her work onto. The cow has been on display at Olympian High and is currently on display at the Vons supermarket off of Eastlake Parkway.

    “I wanted to do something that reflected my culture,” said Estrada. “As an artist, I feel that this is a big achievement. It’s the best work I’ve done.”

    The winner of the contest will receive $20,000 for their school and $5,000 for each the student and their art teacher. The winners will be announced in early May.

    “This is an amazing display of art,” said Board President Arlie N. Ricasa. “The creativity and expression that Ana and her teacher, Ms. Exum, showed in this project is something we should all celebrate”

    For more information about the contest, please visit www.artofdairy-artcontest.com