Erin Gonzalez

This year’s cover, “Lincoln’s Love for Springfield,” is by Erin Gonzalez, winner of this year’s Capital City Visitor cover art contest. Gonzalez and the other artists will have their artwork on display at the Hoogland Center for the Arts beginning March 23. Cash prizes were awarded to the top three winners.

Gonzalez, a native of Springfield, said she has created a number of artworks that feature Abraham Lincoln. Visiting local sites and studying the history behind the legendary figure have influenced her interest in Lincoln. In this piece, she chose to depict a scene from downtown Springfield that includes the statues of Abraham and Mary Lincoln. Gonzalez used colored pencil and watercolor to create the piece.

This is Gonzalez’ fifth year entering the cover art contest, and she has previously placed second and third. She is an art teacher at Rochester High School and says her students motivate her.