Washington, DC -- Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today announced that Grace Park a junior at Highland High School has won the 2012 Congressional Art Competition for New York's 22nd Congressional District. Park's work, entitled "Peterpan Syndrome" will hang alongside artwork from congressional districts throughout the country in the U.S. Capitol.

"The pieces of art submitted in this year's competition were absolutely stunning," Hinchey said. "It is wonderful to see that our part of New York is filled with so many talented young artists who will undoubtedly contribute to our culture for many years to come.  I congratulate this year's winner, Grace Park, for painting a stunning piece of artwork that will now hang in the U.S. Capitol and I applaud all of the entrants who produced so many marvelous pieces.  I am so pleased that my colleagues in the House and visitors to the U.S. Capitol will be able to enjoy this excellent artwork from our part of New York."

This year's competition saw more than 50 young artists participate from the Hudson Valley to the Southern Tier.  Hundreds of area residents helped select a finalist by viewing and voting for their favorite pieces of artwork at Hinchey's official Facebook page. In addition to winning the Orange and Sullivan County region, Park was the Facebook winner of this year's competition as well.  The other three finalists included:

·         "Cresting" by Kyle Williams of Owego Free Academy

·         "A Clip From the Past" by Alexandra Coulum of Kingston High School  

·         "Loves Emotions" by Alanna N. Noriega of Middletown High School

The winner was selected by a panel of judges from the Southern Tier. The finalist judges included John Brunelli, Gallery Director and Curator at Anthony Brunelli Fine Arts; Orazio Salati, a local artist and painter; and Terry McDonald, Executive Director at the Roberson Museum and Science Center.

The competition, which was initiated by Congress in 1982, includes hundreds of thousands of high school students from across the nation. One piece from each congressional district will be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC.

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