Ariel Muiselaar, a senior at Lakeland’s Harrison School for the Arts is the winner of the annual Congressional Art Competition, sponsored by Congressman Adam Putnam (R-Fla.), the Polk Museum of Art and the Polk and Hillsborough County School Boards.

“Ariel is a very talented young artist,” said Putnam. “It will be an honor to have her work represent the 12^th District of Florida in the U.S. Capitol. I also want to thank the leadership and staff of the Polk Museum of Art for all the hard work they have done in helping to organize and judge all the entries. All of the students who participated in this – and the teachers and parents who inspired them – deserve great thanks for sharing their talent with us.”

Muiselaar’s pencil drawing, entitled “Geometric Values,” will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol complex in Washington, D.C., along with winning art works from around the nation for the next year.

Begun in 1982 the Congressional Art Competition provides an opportunity for members of Congress 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.

This year the Polk Museum of Art received 551 entries in the contest and awarded recognition to 14 young artists.  In addition to having her drawing placed on display, Southwest Airlines is providing air transportation for Muiselaar and two guardians to Washington, D.C. in order to attend a special reception for this year’s winning artists.

Below is a table of all the artists recognized in this year’s competition in the 12^th Congressional District: