Pateros student wins Governor's Choice Award for artwork

PATEROS – Pateros High School art student Lexi Ann Vargas won the Governor's Choice Award with her mixed media painting “Recycled Ocean” at the Superintendent's High School Art Show in Olympia.

“Lexi worked very hard bringing this piece to life,” said Todd Steenhard, Pateros School District art teacher. “It was a joy watching it happen.”

“It captures an issue she cares strongly about and is a testament to her skill, creativity, and dedication,” he said. “I am very proud of her accomplishments and look forward to what she does next.”

The artwork is a mixed media painting. Vargas arranged and glued bottle caps to a plexiglass base. Then, she painted her image with acrylic paint.

“She had to do a lot of research in order to design her original composition,” he said. 

After winning an award at the Regional High School Art Show in March, Vargas qualified to send her painting to the state show.

The regional juried show, which had over 200 entries, was open to all High Schools in the North Central Educational Service District. 

The show is made possible each year through the sponsorship of the North Central Educational Service District and partnership with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Quinn Propst: 509-731-3590 or quinn@ward.media.