Congressional Art Awards

Congratulations go to Lewiston and Portland students

In an academic year that was largely defined by remote learning and minimal social gatherings, twelve high school art students welcomed some exciting news from Maine’s Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and Congressman Jared Golden. 

Representatives Pingree and Golden announced the winners of this year’s Congressional Art Competition: Baxter Academy senior Elwen Bernard of Maine’s First District, and Lewiston High School sophomore Whitney Perkins of Maine’s Second District.

Benard’s illustration Passport Photo, and Perkins’ photograph Curious, will be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol for the entire year, alongside winning artists from districts across the country. The winners are flown to Washington, D.C. in June for the official opening of the show.

“Every year, the sheer talent of Maine student artists blows me away, and this year’s Congressional Art Competition was no exception. Art offers a great outlet through tough times. I’m thrilled to see that students are still connected with their artistic processes after a year of unknowns and immense change,” said Congresswoman Pingree. “Elwen’s piece is poignant and stunning, and I’m sure that it will stand out when it’s on display at the Capitol. My thanks to all the students who participated this year—It is an honor to view your work.”

“I had high hopes for the submissions we’d receive for this year’s Congressional Art Competition, but the students really went above and beyond,” said Congressman Golden. “This contest is a great showcase of the insight and skill of Maine students, and it’s an annual reminder of how fortunate we are to have so many talented young artists in our state. Congratulations to all of our winners and thank you for making our district proud.”

The submitted artwork was judged by a panel of jurors selected by the Maine Arts Commission.  Jurors Juliet Karelsen and Breehan James judged the First District competition.

 The jurors noted in Benard’s Passport Photo, “we encounter a real person whose strength, warmth, honesty, vulnerability and soul come through the finely layered and textured colored pencil markings….It exudes an inner life and an unassuming presence. It speaks loudly in its quiet expressiveness and subtly.”

Jurors Carolyn Wallace-Zani and Teddi-Jann Covell judged the Second District competition.

In Perkins’ Curiosity, the jurors noted the variety and repetition of lines, shapes, tones, and values repeatedly directing the viewer through the nearly empty bus and back again to the young child while confirming her feelings of isolation, uncertainty, and curiosity. “This piece has a strong composition, is well presented and timely. Her backwards glance caught us looking into the now common life of all students around the world during this pandemic. Even though the mask hides a smile, it cannot mask the inquisitiveness of youngsters.”

The judges honored the works of twelve Maine students in total.

First District:  Winner: Elwen Benard of Baxter Academy. First Runner Up: Fiona Jason of Baxter Academy, Second Runner Up: Kaitlyn Sawicki of Freeport High School. Honorable Mention: Della Huntley of Baxter Academy. Honorable Mention: Alexis Milem of Thornton Academy. Honorable Mention: Kaylee Demers of Falmouth High School.

Second District: Winner: Whitney Perkins. First Runner Up: Sophia Carson of Edward Little High School, Second Runner Up: Ella Shaffer of Rangeley Lakes Regional School. Honorable Mention: Lexi Bachelder. Rangeley Lakes Regional School. Honorable Mention: Ruoxuan Zhang of Lee Academy, Honorable Mention: Addaline Hemmingway of Rangeley Lakes Regional School.

Click here to view student’s artwork in a virtual gallery

The Congressional Arts Competition was started in 1982 to honor the arts and talents of students nationwide. The Maine Arts Commission works closely with Congresswoman Chellie Pingree’s and Congressman Jared Golden’s offices to administer the program. The Arts Commission also partners with the Maine College of Art (MECA) and the National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards to help with the process of selecting the artwork. Two art professionals from each district are chosen to jury artwork from that district. It is “blind” jurying in which the judges only see the title, size and medium of each piece. This year they convened online to review and discuss digital images to decide. Placements are first, second, third and then three honorable mentions.

Congressional Art Awards

Opportunity for high school students

The Congressional Art Awards has taken place each spring since 1982. This is a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent across the country and in each congressional district. Since its inception more than 700,000 high school students have participated.

2020 District One Winner
Gus by Alek Gideon
Grade 10, Freeport High School
Art Teacher: Kimberly Medsker-Mehalic

This opportunity is open to all high school students. The overall winner of each participating congressional district will have the opportunity to have their work displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol for the entire year, beginning in June. In addition, students will be flown to Washington, D.C. for the official opening of the show in June.

The Maine Arts Commission partners with the Maine College of Art (MECA) and the National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards to select the artwork. Artwork that MECA has invited to exhibit for the annual Maine Regional Scholastic Art Awards are automatically submitted to be juried for the Congressional Art Competition.

2020 District Two Winner
Noor Aden by Carolyn Adams
Grade 12, Lewiston High School 
Art Teacher: Sarah Stocker

For more information please visit the Maine Arts Commission’s website or the Federal Congressional Art Competition website or email Pamela Moulton at pmoulton@meca.edu.

Congressional Art Awards

Students selected

Congratulations to all the Maine students who submitted a work of art and to their teachers who worked with them.

The following Maine students are recognized for their submissions and their work will be shown in the State House, April 2 – May 14, 2018

DISTRICT 1

Winner – Galen Gaze, 12th grade, Toucanana, Brunswick High School Teacher: Colleen Kearney-Graffam

 

1st runner up – Benjamin Folsom, 12th grade, Disperse, Falmouth High School, Teacher: Susan Morse

 

2nd runner up – Rachel Walton, 11th grade, Narcissus, Yarmouth High School, Teacher: Holly Houston

 

 

Honorable Mention- Chelsea Zhao, 12th grade, Lost in Thought, Falmouth High School, Teacher: Susan Morse

 

 

Honorable Mention – Galen Gaze, 12th grade, Innocence is Bliss, Brunswick High School, Teacher: Collen Kearney-Graffam

 

Honorable Mention – Corilie Green, 11th grade, The Greeter, Freeport High School, Teacher: Kimberly Medsker-Mehalic

 

DISTRICT 2

Winner – Isobel Straub, 12th grade, Wait, Rangeley Lakes Regional High School, Teacher: Maryam Emami

 

1st runner up – Pauline Han, 10th grade, Pale Light, Hebron Academy, Teacher: Celeste LaForme

 

2nd runner– Lizzie Dunn, 11th grade, Sense of Chaos, Houlton Jr Sr High School, Teacher: Cindy Mooers

 

Honorable Mention- Cara Hu, 11th grade, Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder, Hebron Academy, Teacher: Michael Tholen

 

Honorable Mention – Jasmine Weiang Li, 11th grade, The Chief’s Wife, Hebron Academy, Teacher: Sara Wilmont

 

Honorable Mention – Yuqing Mao, 11th grade, Inheritance of Life, Gould Academy Teacher: Lauren Head

 

 

Congressional Art Competition

Free speech rights

On the Americans for the ARTSBLOG recently Nina Ozlu Tunnel, Chief Counsel of Government and Public Affairs & Executive Director, Americans for the Arts Action Fund provided a post on Pulphus v. Ayers case. David Pulphus was a high school student from St. Louis whose painting had been selected to hang in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol as part of the 2016 Congressional Art Competition.

The painting was removed a year ago by the Architect of the Capitol after a small group of Congressmen objected to the art work. The painting depicts a civil rights demonstration. Americans for the Arts believes that arts education and creative expression is a central right of every young person and have joined 17 national, state, and local arts service organizations as amicus curiae in the Pulphus v. Ayers case in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, urging reversal of the ruling.

READ the entire blog post to learn more. Maine has participated in the Congressional Art Competition. The Maine Arts Commission partners with the Maine College of Art and the National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards to select the artwork. Gold and silver winners from the Maine Regional Scholastic Art Awards are automatically submitted to be juried in February for the Congressional Art Competition.

Maine’s current U.S. Capitol current Maine artworks.

In Today’s News

Congratulations Lizzie Dunn and Taylor Worthington

Representative Poliquin announces congressional art competition winners for Maine’s 2nd District
Lizzie Dunn of Houlton will have her artwork, ‘Jill,’ displayed in the U.S. Capitol

Today, Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02) announced that Lizzie Dunn, a sophomore at Houlton Jr./Sr. High School, is the winner of the 2017 Congressional Art Competition for Maine’s 2nd District. Lizzie’s artwork, “Jill,” will be displayed in the halls of the U.S. Capitol.

“Every year, I am awestruck by the incredible talent and hard work of our high school students in Maine through this competition,” said Congressman Poliquin. “I’m extraordinarily proud of all our participants this year and I congratulate Lizzie for working so hard to achieve this. I’m so delighted to display Lizzie’s artwork in the U.S. Capitol, where thousands of Americans from across the country can enjoy this piece of Maine’s culture and talent.”

Lizzie Dunn will also be invited to travel to Washington, courtesy of competition sponsors, to participate in an opening ceremony and their artwork will be displayed in the hallway to the Capitol for a year. Additionally, all of the winners are invited to a reception at the Blaine House on May 4 to recognize their outstanding artwork.

For more information and to see the runner-ups please CLICK HERE.

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced today that Taylor Worthington of Brunswick has won the 2017 Congressional Art Competition for Maine’s 1st District.

His painting, entitled “Touch of Pink,” will be on display at the U.S. Capitol for a year.

“The artwork Maine students create in this competition has always been impressive, and this year is no exception,” Pingree said. “Taylor’s colorful portrait is a stunning piece that will certainly catch people’s eyes when it is on display at the Capitol. My congratulations to him and all the top finishers of this year’s competition—everyone’s work was truly exceptional. I appreciate the Maine Arts Commission for their continued role in supporting this great competition.”

Worthington, 17, is a senior at Brunswick High School.

“Taylor Worthington’s compelling portrait captures the spirit of the artist. His unflinching gaze and unapologetic expression combined with bold colorful brushstrokes stopped us in our tracks,” competition judges Pamela Moulton and Beth Wilbur Van Mierlo said. “His mastery of composition and color made this work of art exceptional.”

The judges also recognized the work of five other 1st District students—1st Runner Up Katie Sprague of Kents Hill School; 2nd Runner Up Nicholas Maynard of Wells High School; and Honorable Mentions Bennett Hight of Freeport High School, Morgan Schlaack and Sarah Belling, both of Brunswick High School.

To read more and see the runner-ups please CLICK HERE.

Scholastic Art and Congressional Art Awards

Art and writing

Opportunity for high school students – National Scholastics Art and Writing awards and Congressional Art Awards. These are competitions for students to submit original artwork and to promote a student’s personal voice or vision.

Art teachers: please visit the National Scholastics website at www.artandwriting.org and register as an art educator.  Art educators are required to create a new profile every year. Next step: Interested students grades 7 through 12; need to create or update their profile. (Students do not have to create a new profile every year.)

High School Artwork receiving Silver Key and Gold Key recognition will then be considered for the 2017 Congressional Art Competition.

 

Congressional Art Awards

Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated.

Timeline

Sep. 13 First Communication (E-Newsletter) to Art Educators: Welcome
Sep. 14 Scholastics website opens for registration!
Sep. 26 Mail Art Educators classroom poster to school.
Oct. 12 Second Communication (E-Newsletter) to Art Educators: Updates
Nov. 12 Third Communication (E-Newsletter) to Art Educators: Updates
Dec. 1 Fourth Communication (E-Newsletter) to Art Educators; Updates
Dec. 12 Fifth Communication (E-Newsletter) to Art Educators; Final Reminder!
Dec. 15 All Digital Submissions due! (Via the National Scholastics website.)
Dec. 17 Postmarked deadline of forms and payment; mail to MECA
Dec. 21 Forms and payment received by mail to Maine College of Art (MECA)
Dec. 18 -Jan. 2 Processing Entries: at Maine College of Art
Jan.  3 – 6 Judging at Maine College of Art
Jan. 7 – 9 Students and art teachers are notified of the jury decisions by email
Jan. TBA (14 to 21) Artwork Drop off at Maine College of Art
Jan. TBA Email regarding Exhibition RSVP
Jan. 26 Gold Keys digitally sent to Nationals: digital only and automatically.
Jan. 21 to 28 Hang Exhibition at Maine College of Art
Jan. 28-Feb 11 Exhibition: at Maine College of Art. Open for class visits.
Feb. TBA Congressional Art Awards Judging
Feb. TBA Students who qualify to compete in the CAC will be informed
Feb. 3 First Friday 5 to 8pm. Great opportunity to see the show!
Feb. 11 Scholastics Award Ceremony at MECA (Snow date: Feb. 12)
Time: TBA Awards Ceremony and artwork is taken home.
Feb. 11 CAC Winners artwork is collected by Maine Arts Commission
Feb. TBA Congressional Art Awards Notification of Decision
Feb. 17 Closing Email letter
Mar. 14 National Recognitions Announced: check Scholastics website
TBA Congressional Art Awards Exhibition
May TBA Congressional Art Awards Reception in Augusta, ME
May TBA CAC District 1 and 2 1st place winners artwork taken to Washington DC
June 2017 TBA National Scholastics Exhibition in New York City; invitation only
June 2018 TBA CAC District winners work returns home from Washington DC

Volunteers Needed

1.      Processing entries: 1 day, up to 4 hours, up to 6 people
2.      Judging Day: 1 monitor per day
3.      Accepting artwork: Shifts of 2 people, 2 hours each
4.      Hanging the Exhibition: 4 people, 4 hours each
5.      Award Ceremony and Reception: 2 to 6 people, 1 to 2 hours each
Closing De-install: 3/4 people 1 to 2 hours each

If you have any questions please contact Liam Sullivan at lsullivan@meca.edu.

Congressional Art Awards

Congrats high school artists

It was so wonderful to see high school artists being recognized at a ceremony at the Blaine House earlier this week. Each year two pieces of high school student artwork are selected to be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol for a year beginning in June as part of the Congressional Art Awards. One piece is selected from each of Maine’s Congressional districts. CONGRATULATIONS to the students listed below for their recognition.

JoJo Zeitlin, Cape Elizabeth High School

District 1 represented by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree

• Selected Artist: JoJo Zeitlin, Cape Elizabeth High School, grade 11. Art Teacher: Richard Rothlisberger
• 1st Runner up: Anna Callahan, Brunswick High School, grade 10. Art Teacher: Allison Price
• 2nd Runner up: Abigail Stevens-Roberts, Thornton Academy, grade 12. Art Teacher: Dana Altman
• Honorable Mention: Caitlyn Duffy, Gorham High School, grade 12. Art Teacher: Chris Crosby
• Honorable Mention: Gabriel Rosen, Portland High School, grade 12. Art Teacher: Barbara Loring
• Honorable Mention: Katie Sprague, Kents Hill School, grade 11. Art Teacher: Babs Wheelden

Michaela Shorey, Rangeley Lakes Regional School

District 2 represented by Congressman Bruce Poliquin

• Selected Artist: Michaela Shorey, Rangeley Lakes Regional School, grade 12. Art Teacher: Sonja Johnson
• 1st Runner up: Rachel Flannery, Lewiston High School, grade 12. Art Teacher: Nathaniel Meyer
• 2nd Runner up: Chandler Clothier, Lewiston High School, grade 12. Art Teacher: Sarah Stocker
• Honorable Mention: Olivia Berger, Hebron Academy, grade 12. Art Teacher: Jeanine Eschenbach
• Honorable Mention: Alanna Fellows, Lewiston High School, grade 12. Art Teacher: Nathaniel Meyer
• Honorable Mention:Shin Hye Hwang, Hebron Academy, grade 12. Art Teacher: Jeanine Eschenbach

A great big thank you to the teachers, parents and other adults who support these students and their artistic endeavors. Each student received a certificate of award and a scholarship to the Maine College of Art. The two students representing Maine’s Congressional Districts and one guest will be flown to Washington, D.C. for the official opening of the show in June.

The Maine Arts Commission partners with the Maine College of Art and the National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards to select the artwork. Gold and silver winners from the Maine Regional Scholastic Art Awards are automatically submitted to be juried in February for the Congressional Art Competition.

Congressional Art Awards

Student artists recognized

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 27, 2016
CONTACT: Linda Nelson, Assistant Director
207-287-7050,  linda.l.nelson@maine.gov

AUGUSTA, ME, April 27, 2016–The Maine Arts Commission is proud to announce a special, invitation-only event at the Blaine House to celebrate this year’s Congressional Art Competition winners. The tea, hosted by First Lady Ann LePage, the Congressional offices of Representatives Pingree and Poliquin, and the Commission will feature the work of JoJo Zeitlin, a junior at Cape Elizabeth High School in Congressional District 1, and Michaela Shorey, a senior at Rangeley Lakes Regional School in District 2. Ten other students, five from each congressional district who have been awarded runner up and honorable mention status for their art, will also receive certificates at the event. The First Place submissions will hang in the U.S Capitol for one year along with student art from participating Congressional Districts across the nation.

“We are very lucky to have this kind of talent in our student population here in Maine,” said Julie Richard, Maine Arts Commission Executive Director. “It reinforces the strength and quality of our art education programs across the state. Congratulations to our winners and our finalists.”

Zeitlin won District 1 with her black and white photographic portrait of an older man entitled “Brian.” First District jurors Amy Cousins, an art teacher at Gorham Middle School and Piper Bolduc, an art teacher at Old Orchard Beach High School, said they appreciated her skill in capturing the personality of an individual, which they believe is a unique talent for an artist of her age. They commented on the outstanding quality of her pieces as shown through her technical ability to use depth of field and dark contrasts to enhance the subject matter.

“Jo Jo’s photograph shows great composition and technique. As an islander, I love that the image is so distinctly rural, coastal ‘Maine,’” Representative Pingree said in announcing the award. “I think it will really stand out and I’m proud that it will represent Maine’s First District when it is hung at the Capitol this June.  My congratulations to JoJo and all the top finishers of this year’s competition—everyone’s work was truly exceptional.”

Shorey’s top piece, entitled “An Older-Young Girl,” was also a portrait made from various media including pastels and cut paper. Jurors for Maine’s Second District—Robyn Holman, the former curator at USM’s Lewiston Gallery, and Anthony Shostak, an arts educator at Bates Gallery-found Shorey skilled in using the media to convey a sense of the person, and commented on her strong sense of composition, uniting all the elements to further convey the work’s title.
“Each year, I am astonished by the tremendous artistic ability and creative talent of our Maine high schoolers,” said Congressman Poliquin. “I am incredibly proud to showcase Michaela’s artwork at the U.S. Capitol for this next year, where it will be admired and enjoyed by thousands of Americans from across the country. Congratulations, Michaela, on a job well done!”

The judges recognized the work of five other students from each District as follows:
·       District One—first runner-up Anna Callahan of Brunswick; second runner-up Abigail Stevens-Roberts of Saco; and honorable mentions Katie Sprague of Manchester, Gabriel Rosen of Portland and Caitlyn Duffy of Gorham.
·       District Two—first runner-up Rachel Flannery of Auburn; second runner-up Chandler Clothier of Lewiston; and honorable mentions Olivia Berger of South Paris, Alanna Fellows of Lewiston and Shin Hye Hwang of Hebron.

Every year beginning in 1982, the U.S. House of Representatives sponsors the nationwide Congressional Art Competition to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Over 700,000 high school students have competed for the honor of having their work shown in the U.S. Capitol.

The Maine Arts Commission coordinates the competition in Maine, which is open to all high school students and results in a winner, first runner up, second runner up and honorable mention chosen from each of the state’s two congressional districts. The competition is co-hosted by the Commission and the offices of Representatives Bruce Poliquin and Chellie Pingree.
To select student work for consideration, the Maine Arts Commission partners with the Maine College of Art and the National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.  Gold and silver winners from the Maine Regional Scholastic Art Awards are automatically submitted to be juried in February for the Congressional Art Competition.

For more information on the Congressional Art Competition in Maine, please contact the Maine Arts Commission at info@mainearts.com. To learn more about the Commission’s arts education programs please contact Argy Nestor, Director of Education, at argy.nestor@maine.gov. To learn more about the Commission’s visual arts programs please contact Julie Horn, Director, Visual Arts Programs, at Julie.horn@maine.gov.

The Maine Arts Commission shall encourage and stimulate public interest and participation in the cultural heritage and cultural programs of our state; shall expand the state’s cultural resources; and shall encourage and assist freedom of artistic expression for the well-being of the arts, to meet the needs and aspirations of persons in all parts of the state.

Congrats Student Artists!

Congressional Art Awards

The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for Members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, over 700,000 high school students have competed for the honor of having their work shown in the U.S. Capitol.

The competition is open to all high school students. The overall winner of each participating district will have the opportunity to have their work displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol for the entire year, beginning in June. In addition, winners will be flown to Washington, D.C. for the official opening of the show in June.

Congratulations to the following students who are being honored this year, 2015

DISTRICT ONE		DISTRICT TWO
WINNER		WINNER
Self Portrait  acrylic		The Widow  white charcoal
Djordje Jevtic    Grade 12, Scarborough High School    Art Teacher: Erin Landry-Fowler		Liam Reading     Grade 12, Bangor High School     Art Teacher: Kal Elmore
FIRST RUNNER UP		FIRST RUNNER UP
Self Portrait  graphite		Airport  ink pen
Anna Kinee    Grade 12, Brunswick High School    Art Teacher: Allison Price		Youjin Choi     Grade 11, Foxcroft Academy     Art Teacher: Jane Blay
SECOND RUNNER UP		SECOND RUNNER UP
After the Music is Over  charcoal		Mirror’s Reflection  charcoal
Olivia Potter     Grade 10, Morse High School     Art Teacher: Heather Monsen		Maxwell Clarrage     Grade 11, Lewiston High School     Art Teacher: Nathaniel Meyer
HONORABLE MENTION		HONORABLE MENTION
Living in a Bottle  photography		Inside the Yellow Room  gouache
Kailey Coleman     Grade 12, Noble High School     Art Teacher: Ginny Vakalis		Jingfei Zhou     Grade 12, Gould Academy     Art Teacher: Lauren Head
HONORABLE MENTION		HONORABLE MENTION
Lips  acrylic		Pores  photography
Haleigh McKechnie     Grade 12, Thornton Academy     Art Teacher: Jennifer Merry		Riley Hemmings     Grade 11, Hebron Academy     Art Teacher: Jeanine Eschenbach
HONORABLE MENTION		HONORABLE MENTION
The Bermuda Triangle  digital		Menenius  digital
Lily Munro     Grade 10, Brunswick High School     Art Teacher: Colleen Kearney-Graffam		Meghan McDunnah     Grade 12, Mount Desert Island High School     Art Teacher: Charlie Johnson

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and Congressman Bruce Poliquin  are delighted to announce the winners of the 2015 Congressional Arts Awards in Maine’s Congressional districts.

Pingree congratulates Djordje Jevtic, an exchange student from Belgrade, Serbia, who is attending Scarborough High School, for his winning artwork, “Self Portrait,” a distinctive work in acrylic.

“I’m always amazed by the quality of work that Maine students submit to this competition,” said Pingree. “I’m excited that Djordje’s work will represent our state at the Capitol—it shows a lot of talent. Winning the competition should be a great memory of Maine for him to bring back home,” “My thanks and congratulations go to all the students who participated this year, the art teachers who inspire them, and the Maine Arts Commission for coordinating this wonderful event. ”

Poliquin acknowledged Liam Reading, a senior at Bangor High School, as this year’s winner for Maine’s Second District for his white charcoal piece, “The Widow.”

“I continue to be amazed by the extraordinary talent and work of our Maine high school students,” said Poliquin. “Congratulations to Liam, and everyone who entered the competition, for sharing their artistic gifts.”

For information about the Congressional Art Competition please contact Julie Horn at the Maine Arts Commission, at 207-287-2790 or julie.horn@maine.gov

Artwork at the Capitol in DC

Congressional Art Awards announced

Congressman Michael Michaud and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree are delighted to announce the winners of the 2014 Congressional Arts Awards in Maine’s Congressional districts.

Congressman Michaud congratulates Jessica Chen a senior of Bangor High School for her winning artwork, “Floating,” which is a pastel. Congresswoman Pingree then announced that Elena Laustsen, a junior at Oceanside High School East in Rockland, as winner of the 2014 Congressional Art Competition for Maine’s First District with her color pencil drawing, “Salmon.”

“This year we had another impressive batch of submissions from some of Maine’s talented students,” said Michaud. “Congratulations to Jessica and all of the runners-up for their outstanding work. I can’t help but smile with pride every time I walk into the Capitol and pass the artwork on display from our district.”

The runners-up and honorable mentions also all hail from Bangor High. Siblings Abbey and Morgan Kidder received first and second runner-up, respectively; while Nick Fournier and Shirley Yuen received honorable mentions.

“The quality of work that Maine students produce for this competition is always impressive—and this year was no exception. I’m very proud to have Elena’s lovely study of a salmon represent our District at the Capitol. It says a lot about the wildlife and natural places that make our state unique,” said Pingree. “My thanks and congratulations go to all the students who participated this year, the art teachers who’ve fostered their talent, and the Maine Arts Commission for coordinating this fantastic event.”

The judges also recognized the work of four other First District students—1st runner-up Caitlyn Duffy of Gorham, 2nd runner-up Veronica Jones of Readfield, and honorable mentions Elizabeth Brown of Manchester and Theresa Gervais of Chelsea. And from the Second District – 1st runner-up , Abbey Kidder of Bangor 2nd runner-up Morgan Kidder of Bangor, and honorable mentions Shirley Yuen of Bangor and Nick Fournier of Bangor.

The 2014 first place winners, Elena Laustsen and Jessica Chen will be joined by four runners-up from each congressional district when they meet with representatives from the Congressional Offices at a Blaine House reception held in their honor. This event is the culmination of a close partnership between the Maine Arts Commission and Maine’s Congressional offices. Both of Maine’s congressional delegates support this program enthusiastically and have provided their full support throughout the process.

CONGRATULATIONS to proud art teachers Holly Smith, teacher of Elena Laustsen, Sarah Dolley teacher of Caitlyn Duffy, and Linda Phillips, teacher of Veronica Jones and Theresa Gervais, Kal Elmore, teacher of Jessica Chen and Shirley Yuen, and Eric Hutchins, teacher of Morgan and Abbey Kidder and Nick Fournier.