Alana Acosta has set the bar high in terms of Christmastime gift-giving.

While most families’ presents will lie neatly wrapped, nestled beneath the boughs of a tree or settled on a hearth, Acosta’s gift for her brother will be displayed on the walls of one of the state’s most prominent government offices.

Acosta headed to Olympia this week to accept the Governor’s Choice Award for her piece “Depixed.”

It is one of several accolades being given to select Washington state high-schoolers as a part of the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s 43rd Annual Superintendent’s High School Art Show.

“Depixed” is a portrait of her brother, and was originally intended as a Christmas gift for him. Art teacher Kit Christopherson, however, suggested that the piece be entered for consideration in the show, as it was not only a representation of Acosta’s best work, but a worthy example of what Oak Harbor High School students are capable of.

Acosta’s brother, ever a supporter of his sibling’s artistic pursuits, assured her he too would  rather she enter it for consideration.

Acosta was prompted to create “Depixed” when asked to create a portrait inspired by the work of Kehinde Wiley, a New-York based artist famous for his reworking of traditional portraiture, particularly 18th-Century aristocratic portraits. His exhibit “A New Republic” was recently featured in the Seattle Art Museum.

The assignment required the creation of a realistic portrait set against a distinct background. Wiley’s portraits often feature a dynamic and brightly colored backdrop.

But instead of using pen, paint or pencil, Acosta elected to use a textile for the backdrop, interweaving her passion for sewing and fashion design.

“I wanted to incorporate my brother because he is a huge inspiration for my art and he is a really big supporter,” she said.

Acosta said he has consistently offered her motivation or a second perspective as needed.

“He says he isn’t artistic, but he is,” she said.

Upon receiving news of her win, Acosta said she was at first in disbelief.

“I honestly didn’t even think I was going to get past regionals,” she said.

It was so unexpected that when Christopherson told her of the award, she thought it was a joke.

“It was really relieving to know that other people appreciated my art and that it was deemed great enough to be one of the winners,” Acosta said.

And her brother harbored no hard feelings when he heard the governor would be receiving his gift, though it has become a running joke in the family.

“He was really happy for me,” she said. “He’s always been my main cheerleader.”

It isn’t the first time Acosta is earning accolades for her artistic prowess; she’s won a slew of other local awards throughout the past four years.

It’s also not the first time OHHS has been recognized as one of the top art programs statewide;  Christopherson noted that they’ve won an award at the show three times in the past five years.

But Acosta is the first to receive the Governor’s Choice.

“Alana is a very apt student. She listens to critique and is willing to think and work through the process of her pieces. She is a technically skilled artist, but she also puts concepts behind her work,” Christopherson said, adding that she is especially adept at blending realism with conceptual art in a single piece, and incorporating textiles.

“The OSPI win is a natural outcome of her diligent efforts,” he said, joking that she spends an “abnormal amount of time working hard.”

Come September, Acosta will be embarking on a new pursuit, attending her dream college the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in California.

She hopes to become a costume designer for television and film.