Fairfield, CA – Rodriguez High School senior Priya Iman won third place in an online art contest highlighting the creativity of young artists from across the state.
Priya’s colorful digital art piece, titled “The Effects of Music,” won third place in the Hope & Justice Art and Film Contest for January. Priya earned a $100 Amazon gift card in recognition of the award, and her work is displayed in an online gallery alongside other winning artworks from January 2025.
According to its website, The Hope & Justice Art and Film Contest centers topics youth are grappling with, such as mental health, racism, economic uncertainty, climate change, health disparities, with prompts that ask them to express and process their feelings in a positive and impactful format.
“Youth are asked to share how they find hope, ways they cope with tough times and complex feelings, and the changes they hope to see in their communities,” the website said. The contest is supported by the nonprofit organization Youth Creating Change.
Priya’s artwork features a colorful, cartoon-like design depicting a fast-food worker in a drab environment, dreaming of living a more colorful life as a rock star.
“I designed this to show how powerful music you love can affect you,” Priya said in her artist’s statement. “In the context of this artwork, it depicts a girl working at a fast food chain. Everything around her is grey and boring, but once she listens to music, it empowers her to keep going.”
Priya’s award-winning artwork was created as an assignment for Debbie Cook’s Computer Arts & Multimedia class at Rodriguez High School.
“It is nice to have one of my students honored and their artwork represented on a website promoting wellness and mental health along with receiving $100 for their efforts,” Debbie Cook said.
Computer Arts & Multimedia is one of 19 Career Technical Education (CTE) courses offered at Rodriguez High School. In addition to design, media arts, software development, and video production, Fairfield-Suisun students can obtain technical skills in areas such as agriscience, construction, public safety, and more. More information about Fairfield-Suisun’s CTE programs can be found at https://fairfieldsuisunusdca.sites.thrillshare.com/page/career-technical-education1.