The artwork of Upper Darby High School senior Blya Ange Krouba has been chosen to represent the First Congressional District as part of the 2017 Congressional High School Art Exhibition, writes Ryanne Persinger for The Philadelphia Tribune.

The 12th-grader, who was born in the Ivory Coast, created the mixed media artwork after she was told her work was too dark. According to the young artist, her piece “Warnings” expresses “the complications of having a dark complexion, but also focuses on black people being beautiful, unapologetic, strong, human, and educated.”

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Krouba plans to attend Pitt and major in pre-medicine. Her expressive and eye-catching work will be displayed, along with pieces from other young winners from across the country, during the 10-month exhibition.

“These young artists will have their work seen by hundreds of thousands of people from across the country and around the world who visit the House office building and the U.S. Capitol,” said U.S. Rep. Bob Brady.

He added that, in addition to encouraging young artists, the Capitol exhibition makes the overwhelming case on the importance of arts education in the nation’s schools.

Read more about Blya Ange Krouba’s winning artwork in The Philadelphia Tribune by clicking here.

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