Indiana Township teen Mira Owens takes top prize in Congressional Art Competition for 17th District

Sixteen-year-old Mira Owens pays a lot of attention to what’s around her.

The self-taught artist from Indiana Township is an ardent observer, which provides all the inspiration she needs to develop her passion for art.

“I have a sketchbook or drawing utensil with me everywhere I go, as well as my phone so I can capture anything that interests me,” she said.

A sophomore at Fox Chapel Area High School, Owens has been drawing and painting for as long as she can remember.

“Before middle school, I was self-taught and I practiced by watching tutorial videos and sketching characters, people and things I liked,” she said.

“More recently, I have been focusing on trying new techniques and learning from other artists. One thing that has really shaped my pursuit of art is being attentive to my surroundings.”

Whatever her technique, it’s working for Owens.

She took the top prize in the Congressional Art Competition for U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio’s 17th District.

Her submission, “JOY,” will be displayed for the next year in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol, one of the busiest corridors in the government complex.

“I’m grateful to everyone who submitted their work and put their imagination on display for all of us to see. I look forward to seeing their art when I’m down in Washington for votes this year,” said Deluzio, D-Aspinwall. “The creative energy of these students is truly inspiring.”

The Congressional Art Competition was founded in 1982 to encourage teens across the country to showcase their skills. Since then, more than 700,000 high school students have competed.

Deluzio said his office received many submissions from students across the 17th District, which includes the northwestern part of Allegheny County and all of Beaver County.

“I was excited to hear the news,” Owens said. “I enjoy the abstract character of this piece, as well as the color theme. I did not set up many restrictions for myself on this piece, so I was able to paint freely without the stress of it needing to be precise.”

Owens will be honored at an event in June in Washington, D.C., alongside winners from congressional districts across the country.

Her acrylic painting illustrates imaginative depictions of the artist’s daily life in Western Pennsylvania.

“This particular piece was centered around inspiration from things that make me happy, the things that weigh on me and the things that are always there that sometimes I take for granted,” Owens said.

“I believe that this painting can be interpreted many different ways, which is one of the reasons art is so compelling to me. I’ve made the description vague for that purpose, and I hope that through this competition this piece can be shared with others and connect with them in their own way.”

Owens said her preference for art mediums depends on the circumstances. If she’s scrambling for time, she uses pencils or watercolors.

“If I want to sit down and really get into a project, my ‘go-to’ is acrylic paint,” Owens said.

At Fox Chapel Area, she explores drawing, painting, jewelry and glass to hone her skills.

“I think it’s really important for an artist to be exposed to all the ways of expression,” she said. “I enjoy participating in all of the arts — singing, playing the piano and dancing.”