Story of immigration inspires art competition winners

Winners of the ’57 Chevy art contest, a play about immigrant struggles, were announced before the world premiere of ’57 Chevy, which sold out opening night on May 21.

In first place was a painting of the classic red ‘57 Chevy by Francisco Baldonado, who won $300. 

Second place was won by a photograph of another old school Chevy that matched the aesthetics of the play by Chris Lee, netting him $200. Finally, in third place was another painting of a ‘57 Chevy by Naila Wheaton for $100.

Through a voting rubric, the pieces submitted were graded based on presentation, technique, creativity, and emotional impact. 

’57 Chevy is a play that depicts the life of Junior, who was born in Mexico but moved to America at one year old with his family in a ’57Chevy his father purchased after working in America for a year. His father drove from America to Mexico and then back to America so his 3 daughters, at the time, and son can have more opportunities towards a better future. 

“One of the main reasons I wanted to participate is that the story of the play, from what I understand, has to do with immigration and family. My experience is with my father immigrating to this country in search of a better future.” First-place winner, Baldonado said.

With how much inspiration he could draw from his own life, he was able to spend almost 20 hours working on this piece.

“I worked in a series of stages from underpainting to sketching, from underpainting to blocking. The second coat and then the final coat for detail,” Baldonado said. 

During the event, Baldonado was seen painting a mural on a large canvas that depicts a red ’57Chevy that sat at a sunset with the Queen Mary in the background. 

^{LBCC hosts a Student Art Show just before the world premiere of ’57 Chevy. Winners, from left to right, Francisco Baldonado, Chris Lee, Eddie Valencia and Naila Wheaton. The Spotlight Art Show took place at LAC on May 21. (Thavarath Ellis)}

A piece that carried so much talent you wouldn’t expect it to still be incomplete. For Baldonado’s standards to make the piece to the best of his ability, he still has “70% to complete; I only have 30% done,” said Baldonado. 

Baldonado entered in the hopes that those who looked at his work would smile or have a good feeling. 

Live performances and sculpting were also seen during the event, where students could sell handmade works such as jewelry and ceramics.

This was the first time LBCC has coordinated an event where students can make a piece and participate in an art contest. “I think we have started a new tradition; we see a lot of success, and I think our students deserve it,” Dean of Student Affairs Deborah Miller-Calvert said. 

“Anyone who talks to me for very long knows that I love celebrating student success and achievement. I love celebrating students, and so this was just a great way to celebrate our student performers and artists. I am so happy to cheer them on for their skills and talents.” Miller said.

“I love ‘57 Chevy every time I see one. I wanted a car like that; I figured that since the play was about a ’57 Chevy, I wanted to put it on a canvas,” said Wheaton. 

While Wheaton did not win first place, she still carried an optimistic and positive mindset when sharing her experience working alongside other students. 

Wheaton shared in an interview that she enjoyed getting critiques from others and their opinion regarding her work. 

“In our art class, I love getting critiques from all my colleagues and looking at their art and comparing it to mine. They inspire me to become an artist and how to improve my artwork. The professors at school inspire me to do more,” said Wheaton. 

“I’m happy I got into third place; at least I am placed in something, and I am tied with a person [Baldonado] who’s an incredible artist; watching him paint a mural is inspiring,” said Wheaton.