WASHINGTON, D.C. –  The winning entries of the Fourth Congressional District Art Competition for amateur artists (hosted by Rep. Chris Smith) will be unveiled tomorrow at 3:00 PM in the M. Christina Geis Art Gallery at Georgian Court University (GCU).  

Smith said that the competition – which has been hosted by Georgian Court University all week – is an initiative of the United States House of Representatives to promote the talent of young high school artists from across the nation.  Local contests are held within many congressional districts, and the winning entries from all districts are displayed in the tunnel that connects the House Office Buildings with the US Capitol for one year. Each winning student receives an invitation to attend a grand-opening ceremony for the unveiling of the display in Washington, DC.  Over 40 public and private high schools in the Fourth Congressional District were invited to participate in this year’s local competition.

Two scholarships will be offered by GCU to the Best of Show and first-place winners of the competition tomorrow.  The best in show winner was Vanessa Baskin of Wall Township for her entry entitled, “Glimmer.”  The first-place winner was Andrea Nickerson of Wall for her entry, “Telephone Waiting.”   Other winners included Krista Applegate of Jackson, Chelsea Bucsek of Howell and Alicia Pomp of Wall Township. 

“The 2006 Congressional Art Competition had many great entries from extremely talented young artists and I congratulate Vanessa Baskin for her winning self portrait, Glimmer,” said Smith.  “I also would like to thank Georgian Court University for hosting the competition and rewarding the winners with a scholarship to further their education.” 

What: Fourth Congressional District Art Competition Awards

When: Thursday, May 4, 2006
             3:00 pm – 4:00 pm 

Where:  M. Christina Geis Art Gallery    
               Georgian Court University
                 900 Lakewood Ave
                 Lakewood, NJ