File:Safety vs. Freedom by Sophia Lin (5861321740).jpg

Leader Nancy Pelosi announced Sophia Lin as the winner of the 30th annual Congressional Arts Competition from California’s 8th Congressional district. Sophia, a recent graduate of George Washington High School in San Francisco, won this year’s competition with a watercolor painting entitled Safety vs. Freedom.

“This year’s Congressional Arts Competition collection beautifully showcases the talent, creativity, and hard work of America’s young artists,” Pelosi said. “I congratulate Sophia on her winning painting, which will be enjoyed by Members of Congress, Congressional staff, and visitors from across the country in the Capitol each day.”

Since 1982, the Annual Congressional Art Competition has provided an opportunity for high school students across the United States to exhibit their creativity and compete for a chance to represent their Congressional district and exhibit their artwork in the nation’s Capitol. This year’s competition was hosted by the San Francisco Unified School District during the annual Young at Art festival, displaying over 2,000 pieces of art at the DeYoung museum located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.

As a child, Sophia was inspired by her uncle, a graphic designer, from whom she began taking art classes while living in China. After moving to the United States, Sophia began participating in her school art programs and local competitions. Sophia describes her piece Safety vs. Freedom, as an “underwater creative drawing describing the life of a student. I wanted to express the choices students and teens need to make in life.” Her art teacher, Lawrence Montgomery, notes that Sophia has a “history of creating very dynamic works and develops especially complex ideas for such a young artist.” Sophia plans to continue painting while pursuing a major in human biology at the University of California, San Diego next year.