(Washington, DC): -- Congressman Michael R. McNulty (D-Green Island) announced today that Gregory Goldberg is the winner of the 24^th Annual Congressional Arts Competition for the 21^st Congressional District, and welcomed the Niskayuna High School student and his family to Washington to view the winning entry, now on display at the United States Capitol.

Goldberg’s entry, done in chalk pastels and titled The Monster, was selected from entries submitted by students from high schools across the Capital Region. The artwork was added to a yearlong exhibit unveiled this morning.

Last week, in recognition of his artistic achievement, Goldberg received three free round-trip tickets from Southwest Airlines to travel from Albany to Baltimore-Washington International Airport for ceremonies honoring contest winners from congressional districts across the nation.

Congressman McNulty said, “I am delighted that Gregory’s fine artistic talent will be on display for an entire year in the halls of the United States Capitol, representing Niskayuna High School and the entire 21^st Congressional District. I congratulate him, and all of the other students, for producing such outstanding work for this year’s contest, and I thank Southwest Airlines for again participating in this program in support of students and the arts.”

Kyra TePaske, Director of Education Programs for the Arts Center of the Capital Region, served as the contest judge. “Gregory used the chalk pastels medium very skillfully,” TePaske said. “His use of color was balanced, there was a marvelous composition, and the use of light and shadow was very well executed. I enjoyed the feeling the piece conveyed. I certainly felt like I was being examined, and simply loved the work. The other submissions were equally captivating, yet I felt there was something quite special about The Monster.”

Scott Walroth, Director of Art Education for Niskayuna Schools and Goldberg’s art teacher, said, "Greg Goldberg is a delightful student whose aptitude as an artist was evident even as far back as the 7th grade. It has been a pleasure working with him and watching his skills and ideas flourish over time. Of all the wonderful works created by art students at Niskayuna this year, Greg's piece was the most intriguing. The Monster, is a sensitive self-portrait, skillfully rendered, that mesmerizes and examines the viewer.

Greg is a quiet, hardworking senior student, and I feel his winning piece conveys both excited curiosity and fear of the unknown, just as Greg looks to the changes and challenges ahead of him in his life. I am extremely proud of Greg and wish him the very best.”

Walroth added, “I also wish to express my thanks to Congressman McNulty and Southwest Airlines for their continued support of the arts and our students. This competition has changed the lives of the students it has honored through the opportunities, encouragement, and validation it brings.”

Students from all high schools in the 21^st Congressional District were invited to participate. The 21^st District comprises all of Albany, Montgomery, Schenectady and Schoharie counties, a portion of Rensselaer County, the Town of Johnstown, and the cities of Gloversville and Johnstown, in Fulton County, and the Town and Village of Waterford in Saratoga County.

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