CONCORD, NC – Representative Larry Kissell (NC-08) recognized six high school artists from across the 8th District as finalists in the 2012 Congressional Art Competition and announced the overall winner at an event held in Concord recently. The top three selections from both the East and West regional shows were displayed at the Cabarrus Arts Council for an event honoring the students that took part in this year’s competition.
The six finalists of this year’s competition were Miranda Thompson of Richmond Senior High School, Ashley Chen and Ben Osborne of Concord High School, Sean Jenny of Charlotte United Christian Academy, and Thomas Happel and Kirstin LaShonde of Jack Britt High School. A record number of pieces were submitted this year, with contributions from 68 students from high schools throughout the district.
“I am so proud of our students here in the 8th District and their continued hard work and appreciation of the arts,” said Kissell. “As a former school teacher, I have seen firsthand how important it is for students to express their creativity. This competition is a great way to keep our young folks motivated and bring a piece of our district to Washington for all to see.”
The finalists’ artwork was anonymously judged by a panel of local judges, with Ben Osborne’s drawing “Hands On” being selected as the competition’s winner. Osborne’s work will hang in the U.S. Capitol tunnel for one year, and he will be invited to join other winning students for the artwork’s official unveiling later this year.
“Each and every piece submitted this year was unique in its own way and showed just how rich our district is with talented young artists and their supporting families and teachers,” added Kissell. “I encourage anyone visiting Washington to reach out to our office and come see our student’s artwork displayed in our nation’s capital.”
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Photo Attached: Rep. Larry Kissell with Concord High Senior Ben Osborne, winner of the 2012 Congressional Art Competition. Osborne’s submission, “Hands On” was selected by a panel of local judges. More than 60 students from across the 8th District submitted work for this year’s competition, and Kissell held an event at the Cabarrus Arts Council to honor the six finalists and announce the winner.
