"Voices in the Forest" - acrylic on canvas by Megan Montgomery of Bend, Oregon.

 

Each year, high school art students are invited to participate in a congressional art competion, "An Artistice Discovery."  Students are able to submit their artwork to Congressman Walden's office and one finalist is selected from each of the 20 counties he represents in central, southern and eastern Oregon.  Then, a dedicated panel of local college art instructors from throughout Oregon evaluate each finalist and select an overall winner as well as three runners-up.

 

Megan Montgomery of Bend has been selected as the overall winner for the District.  Megan, a junior at Mountain View High School, submitted an acrylic on paper piece titled “Voices in the Forest,” a painting of three African boys playing music.  Her painting will be hung in the U.S. Capitol’s national Artistic Discovery display for one year.

 

Nate Ficer of Eagle Point has been selected as a runner-up for the District.  Nate, a junior at Eagle Point High School, will have his pencil drawing titled “Freedom Rocks” hung for one year in Walden’s office in Washington, D.C.

 

Anastasia Mejia of Hood River has also been selected as runner-up.  Anastasia, a member of Hood River Valley High School’s class of 2006, will have her work of soft pastels titled “Song of Joy” hung in Walden’s Medford district office.

 

Mariah Kirkpatrick of Wasco was named as the third runner-up for the District.  Mariah, a member of Sherman High School’s graduating class, will have her pastel drawing titled “Frank Zappa” hung in Walden’s Bend district office. 

 

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The 2007 competition will commence next spring; please check back here for more information.