The first place for Land O'Lakes High senior Juan Fontanez lands him a scholarship to help him become a cartoonist.
By EBONY WINDOM
Published June 2, 2003
Artist Juan Fontanez hopes to become a household name, and at the rate he's going, that's possible.
This month, his drawing Proud Mother will be one of 300 pieces displayed at the Capitol Complex in Washington, D.C., as part of the 22nd annual Congressional Art Exhibit.
Fontanez, 18, earned first place from among more than 60 local entries in the 5th Congressional District.
The Land O'Lakes High School senior was awarded prizes, including a $3,000 scholarship to Savannah College of Art and Design and a $200 savings bond.
Fontanez imagined a woman proudly looking on as her daughter gets married. This is how Proud Mother was born. Using much detail, he includes such features as squinted, peering eyes and thick, pouty lips, and an ornate head wrap.
Fontanez used a technique, pointillism, as part of a class art assignment, to draw the winning picture. While other students used colorful paints or markers to do the assignment, Fontanez chose a plain black ink pen.
He keeps it simple.
"I use pen on everything. I hate painting," Fontanez said.
Fontanez looks forward to seeing his drawing on display in Washington soon. His parents, Juan and Lilly Fontanez, are planning a road trip to Washington to get a glimpse.
"We are so proud of him," Lilly Fontanez said. "I mean, he has had the talent since he was 3 years old."
Fontanez plans to attend college after graduation and study art. His parents are seeking additional financial aid to supplement his scholarship to Savannah College of Art and Design. For now, Fontanez dreams of becoming a famous cartoonist.
"I see myself creating my own comic books and young kids, teens and adults all enjoying my artwork," Fontanez said.
He uses his talent in other areas of fine arts. His love of drama and attention to detail helped earn him top honors for costume designing in the Florida State Thespian Competition earlier this year. He voluntarily designs T-shirts and mugs for school clubs and events.
"Juan is extremely creative in a lot of different areas and very diverse," said Mary Jane Reeves, fine arts instructor at Land O'Lakes.
The art exhibit in Washington offers plenty of exposure as the Capitol Complex is a popular tourist stop, said Caryn McLeod, press secretary for U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite.
"Now, I can say I'm an award-winning artist," Fontanez said with a laugh.
Second place went to Jennifer Blevins of Lecanto High School in Citrus County.
The third-place Congressional Art Competition winner for the 5th Congressional District is Maggie Mead of Zephyrhills. The Zephyrhills High School junior took home a $75 savings bond and gift certificates for her work in tempera called Big Night Out. Maggie is the daughter of Beverly Mead. Fourth place went Leona Baumeister of Lecanto High School.
- Ebony Windom covers central Pasco community news. She can be reached at 813 909-4609 or toll-free 1-800-333-7505, ext. 4609. Her e-mail address is ewindom@sptimes.com
