Congressional Arts Competition

The winners of the 2010 Congressional Arts Competition were announced April 18, during a ceremony at the Carnegie Center for the Arts in Dodge City. The annual competition showcases the artistic abilities of Kansas high school students. This year, more than 100 entries were submitted from 6 schools throughout the First Congressional District. The art will be on display at the Carnegie Center for the Arts until May 1, 2010.

Congratulations to the winners and to all Kansas students who participated in this year’s competition.  Art plays an important role in the education and lives of Kansas students and this competition is always a great opportunity to showcase their talents. Thanks to the Carnegie Center for the Arts in Dodge City for hosting the event.

Awards were given this year in six categories: painting, drawing, collage, printmaking, mixed media and photography. Chet Cordell of Little River received Best of Show for his print titled “Trail of Donkeys.” Chet’s artwork will be on display this year in the U.S. Capitol. Desirae Melgoze of Grainfield received Runner-Up for her drawing titled “Abstraction of Nature” and Brooke Ostmeyer, also from Grainfield, received Honorable Mention for her print titled “Hanging Out to Dry.” Click here for photos from the reception.

The winners of each category are as follows:

Painting:

First Place: Wendy Williams, Little River High School

Second Place: Kaley Tuttle, Wheatland High School

Drawing:

First Place: Samantha Schmidt, Colby High School

Second Place: Kaytlin Fairclough, Dodge City High School

Collage:

First Place: Ronnie McDermott, Hill City High School

Printmaking:

First Place: Ben Blades, Little River High School

Second Place: Maggie Gaylon, Little River High School

Honorable Mention: Paige Evans, Wheatland High School

Mixed Media:

First Place: Kristen Williams, Little River High School

Photography:

First Place: Brooke Ostmeyer, Wheatland High School

Second Place: Callie Cordell, Little River High School

Honorable Mention: Desirae Melgoze, Wheatland High School

Interested students and teachers may contact my Hays district office for more information about the 2011 competition.

	2010 Winner "Trail of Donkeys" by Chet Cordell Little River High School Little River, Kan.

	2009 Winner "Girl Undefined" by Katie Wolters Osborne Senior High School Osborne, Kan.
	2008 Winner "Sunset" by Ciera Nelson Little River High School Little River, Kan.
	2007 Winner "Handpicked" by Hannah Beattie Little River High School Little River, Kan.
	2006 Winner "Earthmovers" by Jordan Zerr Wheatland High School Grainfield, Kan.