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Art Competition
Each spring, a nationwide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Artistic Discovery Contest is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our 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 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition.
The Artistic Discovery Contest is open to all high school students in the 1st District. The over-all winner of our district's competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol and the exhibit in Washington will also include artwork from other contest winners nationwide.
Courtesy of Southwest Airlines, First place winners are provided complimentary airfare to fly to Washington, D.C. to see their art displayed in the Capitol Building during an unveiling ceremony in June.
For more information about next year's Congressional District Art Competition, please have a school representative (Art teacher) contact Dawn Pollinger of my staff at (603) 641-9536 or via e-mail at: dawn.pollinger@mail.house.gov.
The Artistic Discovery Contest is a great opportunity to recognize our artistically talented youth. We encourage your participation in this wonderful program.
2012 Art Competition: **The 2012 Art Competion is already complete**
Winner of the 2012 Congressional Art Competition, Michele Vlasich at Coe-Brown Northwood Academy
This year’s first place award goes to Michele Vlasich of Strafford, NH, a senior at Coe-Brown Northwood Academy. Her oil on canvas painting titled “Secrets of the Soul” will represent the First Congressional District in the U.S. Capitol in this year’s student art exhibit. She will also be awarded a scholarship from the New Hampshire Institute of Art.
Congressman Guinta personally congratulated Michele at the Congressional Art Competition Reception on Monday, May 14th at the New Hampshire Institute of Art’s Amherst Street Gallery, 77 Amherst Street in Manchester.
Guinta said: “It’s important to support Granite State students and to encourage them to develop their artistic talents. I congratulate Michele and all the students who participated in this great program. I also thank the New Hampshire Institute of Art for their involvement, and for helping talented young people to achieve their dreams.”
Participants in this year’s competition in the First Congressional District included: Mary Espaillat, Londonderry High School; Amanda Bentley, Londonderry High School; Mariah Geiger, Londonderry High School; Que Zhang, Phillips Exeter Academy; Erica Kolenski, Goffstown High School; Erin T. Hussey, Goffstown High School; Megan Dodge, Goffstown High School; Elizabeth Sikes, Goffstown High School; Caitlyn Boutin, Goffstown High School; Gavriella Risman-Jones, Goffstown High School; Scott Schaaf, Goffstown High School; Natasha Young, Goffstown High School; Niti Bista, Manchester Memorial; Ariel Clachar, Coe-Brown Northwood Academy; Kyle Hanson, Coe-Brown Northwood Academy; Stephen D. Munroe, Coe-Brown Northwood Academy; Connor P. Bell, Coe-Brown Northwood Academy; Meghan Ahern, Coe-Brown Northwood Academy; Leah Hastings, Coe-Brown Northwood Academy; Andrew Dow, Coe-Brown Northwood Academy; Nikki Grant, Coe-Brown Northwood Academy; Quinn Palmer, Coe-Brown Northwood Academy; Courtney Turcotte, Coe-Brown Northwood Academy; Leanne Baratier, Coe-Brown Northwood Academy; Kayla Bane, Coe-Brown Northwood Academy; Moriah Mazzochi, Coe-Brown Northwood Academy; Megan Curtin, Coe-Brown Northwood Academy; Anna Goscinski, Coe-Brown Northwood Academy.
2011 Art Competition:
Congressman Frank Guinta with 2011 winner Kelsey Follansbee of Coe-Brown Northwood Academy
The competition for 2011 first place award for NH-01 went to Kelsey Follansbee of Coe-Brown Northwood Academy. Her self-portrait with postcards from her father (an Iraq war veteran) hanging in the background represented the First District in the 112th Congress in the 2011 exhibit.
Kelsey’s artwork was displayed in the Cannon Tunnel, which connects the U.S. Capitol Building to the Cannon House Office Building. Countless Members of Congress, federal officials, Congressional staffers, and visitors from across the country and world passed by the exhibit every day. She was also awarded a scholarship from the New Hampshire Institute of Art. In addition, four other students received scholarships: 2nd Place - Maggie Cook of Goffstown High School, 3rd Place – Hannah Smith of Goffstown High School, 4th Place – Brittney Torres of Goffstown High School, and 5th Place – Leanne Baratier of Coe-Brown Academy.
Participants who received certificates include: From Goffstown High School – Jennifer Evans, Audrey Comeau, Andrew McKim, Nicolle Larhette, Megan Dodge, Caitlyn Brown, and Brianna Seidel. From Londonderry High School – Mariah Geiger, Amands Bentley, and Amy Johnson. From Coe-Brown Northwood Academy – Jordan McAllister, Taylor Marie Trainor, and Kayla Roberts. From Pinkerton Academy – Michael Ropple, Brianna Danielle Lamonica, Rachel Greenlaw, and Kelly Brady. From Great Bay E-Learning Charter School – Emily Russman.
Congressional Art Competion Requirements: **This year's Art Competition is already complete**
Artwork entered in the contest may be up to 28 inches by 28 inches (including the frame) and may be up to 4 inches in depth. All entries must be original in concept, design and execution.
You can down load the Student Guidelines and Student Information & Release Form from the following address: http://www.house.gov/content/educate/art_competition/
Please be sure to review the list of rules regarding the contest. Artwork that does not comply with the rules, is submitted after the deadline or is not submitted with the proper forms, will not be accepted.
