Scrapped City Sticker Artwork Heads To Washington

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jun 19, 2012 7:40PM

The saga of Herbert Pulgar, the student whose winning artwork in last year's city vehicle sticker contest was scrapped because a police blogger who goes by the name "Detective Shaved Longcock" said he saw first respondents throwing gang signs in the art, has taken a happy turn.

Rep. Luis Gutierrez has chosen Pulgar's artwork to represent the Fourth Congressional District in the 2012 Congressional Art Contest. Pulgar and his mother are traveling to Washington, DC at Gutierrez's request.

In a statement, Gutierrez said that positive recognition of Pulgar's artwork was long overdue.

“As Herbie, his mother, and his art teacher have made quite clear, this poster represents a positive vision of our city and shows gratitude to the first responders who give so much to Chicago. I think it’s appropriate that we say ‘good job’ to a good kid who has produced an uplifting piece of art,” Gutierrez said.

Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza scrapped Pulgar's entry after the controversy over whether or not he sneaked gang signs into the sticker design. Runner-up Caitlin Henehan withdrew her runner-up entry shortly after, and Mendoza's office designed this year's inoffensive sticker.

Pulgar said he designed the sticker as a tribute to first responders who rescued him from a fire when he was four years old. Pulgar's art teacher even showed the source artwork he used to draw the hands. His city vehicle sticker artwork will be displayed in the Capitol complex, in the hallway Members of Congress and visitors use to access the Capitol from the Cannon House Office Building, and remain in place until next year.