CHICAGO, IL (May 3, 2012) – Today Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-9) announced the Illinois 9^th district’s winners of the 2012 “An Artistic Discovery Congressional Art Competition”. Conducted in Congressional districts throughout the country, the competition has had hundreds of thousands of participants since its inception in 1982.

 “Today’s Artistic Discovery exhibit reflects the artistic ability and awesome potential of our nation’s young people,” said Rep. Schakowsky. “Arts education provides a valuable outlet to develop imagination and cognitive skills. It is no longer debated - students involved in the arts thrive. This year, all special education schools serving students in our 9^th Congressional District family also participated.  I am thrilled that we have a cross section of our community represented in this exhibit.”

Schakowsky viewed this year’s entries along with approximately 175 parents, family members, teachers and elected officials at Skokie Public Library. Attendees included Ra Joy, Executive Director of the Illinois Arts Alliance; Carolyn Anthony, Executive Director of Skokie Public Library; and special guest Paul Teruel of the Columbia College Center for Community Art Partnerships. All entries will be on display at the Skokie Public Library until May 31^st. 

Thirty-nine students from 15 area high schools submitted drawings, paintings, collages, mixed media, photographs and computer-generated artworks to our 9th district competition for consideration. Winners were selected by a panel of independent judges made up of local artists and art advocates.  Prizes included scholarships to take classes at Columbia College Chicago’s High School Summer Institute, the Evanston Arts Center, and Lillstreet Art Center as well as a family pass to the Art Institute of Chicago and goodie bags from the Utrecht Art Supply Store.

The first place winner, Mark Noel F. Bibat, will be honored at a national ceremony with other winners from across the country in Washington, D.C. on June 20. His winning painting, “Silenced”, touches on the subject of bullying and will hang in the U.S. Capitol for a year.

“This picture deals with bullying because the subject is a representation of a teen bully,” wrote Bibat. “The darker colors help emphasize the hurt that bullying can cause to others.  The caution tape wrapped around the subject signifies that as a society we have to be cautious of the words coming out from our mouths because they can be hurtful.  The title of the piece is ‘Silenced’ because it is only when bullying can be silenced and stopped that we can truly prevent the hurt and sorrow that bullying can cause.”

1st Place   Mark Noel F. Bibat, “Silenced”

Niles West High School, Niles

2^nd Place   Tiffani Neal, “At Rest”

Niles West High School, Niles

3^rd Place   Sergio Farfan, “Graffiti Patriotism”

Bridge View & Challenger Day School, Niles

4^th Place   Kelly Russo, “Summer Nostalgia”

Evanston Township High School, Evanston

5^th Place   Kristen Brennan, “The Beginning”

Resurrection High School, Chicago

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