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On 25th Anniversary of the
Congressional Arts Competition,
Shays Announces Fourth District’s Winner
Bridgeport, CT – Alexandra Heine’s pastel, “Still
Life with Green Pitcher,” was chosen as the winner of
the 2006 Fourth District Congressional Arts Competition, Congressman
Christopher Shays (R-CT) announced today. This year marks
the 25th anniversary of the Congressional Arts Competition,
“An Artistic Discovery.”
Alexandra is a Westport resident and student of art teacher
Camille Eskell at Staples High School.
“Having grown up in an arts family, I know how valuable
creative expression is for students’ growth,”
Fourth District Congressman Christopher Shays said. “I
applaud all the participating students and their teachers
for their enthusiasm about the visual arts and this competition.
Congratulations to Alexandra for being chosen to represent
the Fourth District this year in Washington. A special thanks
to the Westport Arts Center for all the hard work they have
done to make this competition happen."
Shays is Co-Chair of the Congressional Arts Caucus.
The exhibit and reception were held at the Westport Arts
Center (WAC). Eileen Wiseman, WAC’s Executive Director
hosted the event and WAC’s Ann Lanford coordinated the
competition. The pieces were chosen by local artists serving
as judges: Barry Katz, Alyse Rosner and Ann Weiner.
There were 54 pieces submitted by high school students from
eight schools including: Bassick High School, Convent of the
Sacred Heart High School, Fairfield Ludlowe High School, Fairfield
Warde High School, Greens Farms Academy, Kolbe Cathedral High
School, Stamford High School and Staples High School.
The runners-up were Hannah Bargon, a Wilton resident and
student at Greens Farms Academy, with her pen and ink work
entitled “Ugandan Girl,” and Matt Hintsa, a Westport
resident and a student at Greens Farms Academy, with his photograph
“Frond Flight.” Their pieces will be on display
in Shays’ Connecticut offices for the year.
The judges also awarded 11 honorable mention prizes, including:
Caroline Ball of Greens Farms Academy, Grade 11
Cliffs, Photograph
Tracy Choomack of Fairfield Warde High School, Grade 12
Sports Equipment, Colored pencil
Claire Ferrara of Convent of the Sacred Heart, Grade 11
Langdon Chapel, Photograph
Eric Goldschmidt of Staples High School, Grade 11
Old Drain, Photograph
Gabrielle Holbrook of Staples High School, Grade 11
Walk the Dog, Photograph
Kallen Knetzger of Greens Farms Academy, Grade 12
Devin, Pencil drawing
Jaime Lane of Greens Farms Academy, Grade 10
Bodies of Light #7, Photograph
Danielle Lanslots of Stamford High School, Grade 11
Ali, Watercolor
Savannah Mirabile of Fairfield Warde High School, Grade 12
My Boyfriend and I, Computer art
Richard J. K. Nichols of Fairfield Warde High School, Grade
11
Cape Town, Cut-paper collage
Bettina Woodman of Fairfield Warde High School, Grade 12
Faucet Fun, Digital photograph
Beginning in June, Alexandra’s artwork will hang for
one year beside works from other congressional districts in
the passageway between the House office buildings and the
United States Capitol.
Alexandra will receive round-trip transportation for one
to Washington, D.C. for the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday,
June 28. The ticket is compliments of Warren Travel.
Anna Horowitz of Staples High School was last year’s
winner. Her winning piece is entitled “Self Portrait”
and can be found at http://www.house.gov/shays/constituents/artwinner.htm.
"An Artistic Discovery" began in 1982 as an attempt
to offset reductions in federal grants for arts programs by
giving creative students the chance to have their talents
recognized nationwide. Since then, more than 650,000 students
have participated in the competition, and the works of thousands
of young American artists have been showcased in a passageway
to the Capitol.
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