Harker’s budding painters, photographers and mixed media gurus participated in two local art competitions in April and May, coming away with some prestigious awards. The office of Congressman Mike Honda held its annual “An Artistic Discovery” art contest on April 24.

The contest was open to students residing or going to school within the 15th Congressional District (which includes Harker). Winners included Anika Radiya-Dixit, grade 11, for best discussion piece, Sanjana Baldwa, grade 12, for best work in photography and Aditya Sastry, grade 12, for honorable mention in photography. Well done!

The museums of Los Gatos held “Social Matters,” a juried art exhibition at the Los Gatos Art Museum on May 9. The competition asked grade 9-12 students from around Santa Clara County: “What matters?” Awards ranged from being selected as an exhibited work to a grand prize award of $5,000.

Artists also could choose to include their framed pieces in a silent auction. Congratulations to Kacey Fang, grade 9, Tara Rezvani, grade 11, and Karen Wang, grade 12, whose art was exhibited and shown in the museum’ art reception.