Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono

2010 Congressional Art Contest Winners Announced For
Hawaii’s Second Congressional District

Congresswoman Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) has announced Leilehua High School senior, Aljon Tacata, as the grand prize winner of the 2010 Congressional Art Contest, “Kaha Ki‘i: An Artistic Discovery.”

Tacata will soon have his winning work, titled, “Purified,” representing Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District displayed in Washington, D.C.

Congresswoman Hirono also congratulates King Kekaulike High School senior, Marina Riker, for her 2nd place piece titled “Tea,” and Leilehua High School senior, Geren Adolfo, for his 3rd place piece self-titled, “Geren.”

A total of 85 students from Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Oahu, and the Big Island entered the prestigious contest.

Starting in June, Tacata will have his artwork displayed along a highly visited corridor that leads to the U.S. Capitol Building, side-by-side with winning pieces of art representing congressional districts across the country.  Tacata will also receive a $500 monetary award.

Riker, will receive a $300 monetary award with her artwork displayed in Congresswoman Hirono’s Washington, D.C. office. 3rd place winner Adolfo will receive a $250 award and his artwork will be displayed in Congresswoman Hirono’s Honolulu office for one year.

Boots Lupenui, Delro Rosco, and Arna Johnson served as this year’s judges.

2010 KAHA KI’I
An Artistic Discovery
Congressional Art Competition

HISTORY
The Congressional Arts Caucus, an organization of members from the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate interested in supporting the arts, launched the Congressional Art Caucus in 1982 in order to provide members of Congress an opportunity to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, more than 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition.

A letter from Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono:

Dear Art Teacher,

In the tough economic times in which we find ourselves, it is even more important to support each other through partnerships. This year’s Congressional Art Competition and Youth Art Month are partnering to expand the participation in the arts in our communities. I invite you and your students to participate in the 2010 Kaha Ki’i 2nd Congressional District Art Competition.

This competition provides a venue for students in the 2nd Congressional District to showcase their artwork and be recognized for their artistic talents. Below are detailed instructions for you and your students. Photos of art entries must be emailed to haearts@gmail.com by February 11, 2010. Those art entries selected as semi-finalists will be displayed at the Hawaii State Capitol (Underground Chamber Level) from March 1 to April 2, 2010.

Finalists for the 2nd Congressional District will be selected by February 15, 2010. The first place winner will receive a $500 monetary award and have his or her artwork displayed in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C for one year. The second place winner will receive a $300 monetary award with artwork displayed in my Washington, D.C. office. The third place winner will receive a $250 award and artwork displayed in my Honolulu office for one year.

Thank you for your commitment to providing your students with this opportunity to experience and grow in their art education. If you have any questions, please free to contact my staff Ms. Molly Tafoya at (808) 541-1986.

Sincerely,

Mazie K. Hirono
Member of Congress
2nd District Hawaii

Contest Instructions:

• Contest Guidelines
• Contest Timeline and Checklist
• Student Entry Form