BEVERLY — The 6th District Congressional Art Competition and Show celebrated the talent of young artists from the district. From March 14-16, the gallery was displayed at Montserrat College of Art, providing a platform for students in grades 10-12 to showcase their creativity. With 122 student entries from 21 participating schools, the competition showcased an array of artistic talent.
One standout submission was “Frankie,” a captivating portrait by Ava Rega, a senior in Design & Visual Communications at Shawsheen Valley Technical High School. Rega’s piece was one of six internally juried from Shawsheen, to represent the school’s talent.
“Frankie” quickly became a favorite among viewers, thanks to its unique combination of acrylic paint, colored pencil, and pastel chalk. Rega’s distinctive style, characterized by elements of horror and psychedelic themes, set her work apart from other submissions.
The intriguing backstory behind the portrait adds to its allure. Despite both Rega and her subject, Frankie Hawkins, attending high schools in Billerica and being just one year apart, they’ve never actually met in person. This discovery led to a conversation that blossomed into a virtual friendship. Through their social media exchanges, Rega gathered insights into Hawkins’ personality and incorporated personal touches into the portrait. The inclusion of baby’s breath and vampire teeth in the portrait showcases Rega’s attention to detail and her intent to capture Hawkins’ distinctive style.
Reflecting on her creative process, Rega said, “I appreciated the creative freedom I had when constructing this piece.” She also highlighted the technical challenges of ensuring accurate facial proportions to realistically portray her muse.
Rega’s exceptional talent garnered recognition from Montserrat College of Art’s Interim President Brian Pellinen and Congressman Seth Moulton. She was honored with a certificate for “Best of School” and received a $500 scholarship to one of Montserrat’s esteemed pre-college programs.