Latin Recording Academy News - August 23, 2005

Student Named Official 6th Latin GRAMMY Artist
Chicago-based Vivian Zapata was selected through partnership with Latino Art Beat

GRAMMY.com

The Latin Recording Academy announced today that Chicago-based art student Vivian Zapata was selected as the official artist of the 6th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards as part of a first-ever contest — in conjunction with Latino Art Beat — to create the poster art for the Latin GRAMMYs.

The work was unveiled in Los Angeles at today's press conference announcing nominees for the 6th Latin GRAMMY Awards.

Zapata's winning artwork will be used as the official image for the world's premier Latin music event and will grace the cover of the 6th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards invitation, show tickets, poster, and program book. (click image)

Latino Art Beat, in conjunction with the University of Illinois School of Art & Design, will award Zapata a $7,000 scholarship . The artwork competition was offered to art students in Chicago, Houston, Miami, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., and was open to high school juniors and seniors, and college freshmen and sophomores under the age of 21.

"We are so pleased to introduce Vivian as the official artist of the 6th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards," said Latin Recording Academy President Gabriel Abaroa . "Her vibrant and energetic work stood out from the many outstanding submissions and captures the spirit of celebration the Latin GRAMMYs represent. We are pleased that through this association with Latino Art Beat, The Latin Recording Academy is not only able to further its mission to support education and arts in the Latin community, but we're able to help bring attention to a fantastic young artist. "

Born in the United States, Zapata's art reflects her Mexican and Colombian heritage. Her work embodies that spice which is unique to Latin American culture, expressing the beauty and richness of the culture. As her fascination with visual language grew, Zapata turned her childhood hobby of drawing into a life mission to pursue the arts. She is an undergraduate art student at the University of Illinois School of Art & Design at Urbana-Champaign.

Latino Art Beat is a national arts organization that has conducted seven successful "Hispanic Heritage" art competitions for high school juniors and seniors, and the organization awards nearly $200,000 annually in college scholarships. The partnership this year with the Latin GRAMMY Awards represented the first time students were able to receive such a high level of mainstream international recognition.