Delegate Announces Winners in Congressional Art Competition

(Washington, DC – April 20, 2012) – Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen is pleased to announce the winners in the 2012 Congressional Art Competition, An Artistic Discovery, which showcases the creative talent of young Virgin Islands high school student artists.

The winners will be recognized during a reception at 3 p.m. today at the VI Council on the Arts in St. Thomas, located at 5070 Norre Gade, and the public is invited to view the exhibit of this year’s entries. The students’ art work will be in exhibition at the VI Council on the Arts for one month.

Makeda Joseph of Charlotte Amalie High School took the first place prize for her artwork titled, Inspiration. As the winner of this year’s competition, Makeda and a chaperone will travel to Washington D.C. to attend the 31st Annual Congressional Art competition reception and her winning piece will be hung in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol for one year.

Avrel Paul of Ivanna Eudora Kean High School placed second with the artwork, Sometimes being different is Good, and Mchenna Ofoha of Charlotte Amalie High School, won third prize for the artwork titled, Man, Mind, and Nature.

Delegate Christensen said each year, high school students from across the territory compete in “An Artistic Discovery” for the chance to be chosen to represent the territory in Washington and have their art displayed alongside winners from every congressional district.

“I am looking forward to welcoming Makeda and her piece to the Capitol for the Annual Competition,” said Christensen.  “I am sure that she will continue the tradition of fine representation from the Virgin Islands,” the Delegate added.

The Congresswoman congratulated all of the students for their hard work.

“I'm proud to support this contest every year, and in doing so support art programs at high schools throughout the territory,” Christensen said. “Even in these tough economic times, we need to make sure we direct as much support as possible to the arts, which are a very important part of a well-rounded education.”

Thirty-seven (37) art pieces were submitted for this year’s competition. Participating schools include St. Croix Educational Complex, Country Day School, Good Hope School, Manor School, AZ Academy, Charlotte Amalie High School, Ivanna Eudora Kean High School and the St. Thomas-St. John Seventh Day Adventist School.

This year’s exhibit was held in conjunction with the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts. The judges for this year’s competition were Eranah Davies, STT; Felipe Ayala, STT; Ieshia George, STT; Wayne “Bully” Petersen,STX and Stuart Rames, STX.

Each year the winners from participating Congressional districts are invited to attend a reception at the Capitol. Virgin Islands Council on the Arts provides air and ground transportation, hotel accommodations and per diem for student and chaperone to go to Washington, D.C. The winners also receive cash awards.

The 2012 Congressional Art Competition allows high school students from across the country to compete for the opportunity to have their works of art displayed in the Capitol. The annual competition is sponsored by the Congressional Institute and Members of Congress are responsible for holding a competition in his or her own Congressional District.

The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, over 690,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition. All entries must be an original in concept, design and execution.

An Artistic Discovery is open to all high school students. Art includes: Paintings, Drawings, Collage, Prints, Mixed Media, Photography and Computer generated art. The winning entry will be selected to represent the Virgin Islands Congressional District in Washington, D.C. and the winner’s artwork will be displayed in our nation’s Capitol on exhibition for an entire year. Virgin Islands Council on the Arts will provide air and ground transportation, hotel accommodations, per diem for the student and chaperone to go to Washington, D.C.

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