Local Student Wins Congressional Art Contest

May 12, 2023

St. Bernard’s Academy junior Trinity Bowie has been named this year’s California Second District winner in the national Artistic Discovery Contest sponsored by members of Congress.

According to a release from her school, North Coast Rep. Jared Huffman called Bowie last week to share the news.

The 17 year old’s painting, “Balance in Two Worlds,” is part of her Advanced Placement art portfolio, which “focused on modern Indigenous culture.”

Bowie, a tribal member of the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria, wrote in her artist statement: “This is a painting of myself after a ceremony in my traditional regalia, that is all hand-made. As I stand looking at a modern world, it feels like there is no place for Native Culture anymore. The church is a major element (considering the decades of damage the Catholic Church inflicted on my people, especially during the boarding school era). The blue jays in the tree show significance because their feathers are important and used to make the veil in the flower dance (women's coming of age ceremony), which I will be having for myself very soon.”

In addition to having her painting on display in the U.S. Capitol for a year, Bowie will also be flown to Washington, D.C., to participate in an award ceremony with winners from other congressional districts.

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By:  KIMBERLY WEAR
Source: North Coast Journal of Politics, People, & Art