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Student's Painting 'Past' Suggests Bright Future

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By JOSE PATINO GIRONA

jpatino@tampatrib.com

Published: April 1, 2009

TAMPA - Stephano Espinoza is a mild-mannered artist with a drive to excel.

The Blake High School junior is making an early case for success. Last month, he won the 11th Congressional District Art Contest for his painting titled "Past."

The self-portrait will be exhibited at the U.S. Capitol for one year. Espinoza, 17, also won a trip to Washington, D.C., to attend the National Awards Ceremony in June.

He has qualified for partial scholarships at the University of Tampa and Savannah College of Art and Design but has not decided where he will attend college.

"Past" shows Espinosa's face, with one hand manipulating his lips and another tugging at his ear. The oil portrait symbolizes Espinoza's struggle with peer pressure and acceptance.

It's called "Past" because the painting reflects who he was, he said.
Espinoza was honored during a program at Hillsborough Community College's Dale Mabry campus on Feb. 28.

Eighty entries were featured in the annual exhibit showcasing artwork by high school students from Hillsborough and parts of Pinellas and Manatee counties. The juror of the exhibition was Kendra Frorup, assistant professor of art at the University of Tampa.
Espinoza said he attended the event not anticipating he would win.

"I liked my painting, but you can't say what the judges are going to think," Espinoza said. "I was going not expecting anything."
Espinoza began painting as a child in his native Ecuador. He drew regularly and gained satisfaction seeing an improvement in his work. He was 12 when his mother enrolled him in an art class.

Espinoza, who had limited exposure to art prior to the class, was influenced by his classmates and the teacher.

He moved to Florida four years ago with his mother, Sonia Galarza.

Although he travels to Ecuador twice a year, he said he misses his native country and the engaging personalities of its residents. But he appreciates the opportunities - especially in art - he has had in the United States.

Art in Ecuador is considered a hobby and is not taken as seriously, he said. Here it can be pursued as a career, he said.

"I don't think this could happen anytime soon in Ecuador - like winning a congressional award and the news interviewing me about it," Espinoza said.

He said the access and exposure to art has made him better.

Blake High art teacher Lucy Kirk said Espinoza has talent and determination. Along with majoring in visual arts at Blake High, he takes weekly drawing classes at Hyde Park Arts Studio.

"His drive and his motivation are very clear," Kirk said. "He has set his mind on a goal, and that is unusual for a student his age.

"He has really taken advantage of everything we have to offer at Blake," Kirk said. "He doesn't take it for granted."

Espinoza, who works in sculpture, drawing and photography, prefers oil painting to other mediums.

"I'm not really good at writing," Espinoza said. "I feel art is the best way I can express how I feel about things."
Espinoza said he aspires to paint about issues and tell personal stories through his art. He also wants to begin painting scenes depicting how he wants things in his life to be, he said.

"That would be nice if I could make a living painting," Espinoza said. "I would like my job to be related with art somehow."

Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at (813) 259-7659.

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