Congressman Gerry Connolly will announce the winners of this 2010 Congressional Arts Competition for Fairfax and Prince William students residing in the 11th Congressional District at an awards reception on Sunday, April 18 at 2 pm at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center.

All student art entries will remain on display at the Lorton Workhouse, 9601 Ox Road (Route 123) in Lorton until April 25.  The exhibit will then move to theSPACE at Old Town Plaza, 3950 University Drive, in the City of Fairfax where it will remain on display through May.                        

The artwork by the first place-winning student will go on display at the U.S. Capitol for a year, alongside the winning entries from other congressional districts across the nation.  Overall, Connolly will award prizes to the top five winners selected by a panel of judges from the 11th District.

“I hope people will take the opportunity to view the work of the students while it is on display in Lorton or in Fairfax,” Congressman Connolly said.  “I had the opportunity to view the pieces as they came into my district offices in Annandale and Woodbridge. The talent was remarkable and I think the judges are going to have a hard time selecting this year’s winners.”

Some 80 entries were submitted to Connolly’s Congressional Arts Competition from public, private and home schooled high school students in the 11th District.  The public can view the artwork at the Lorton Arts Center Wednesdays thru Saturdays between 11:00 am and 7:00 pm and Sundays between noon and 5 pm.  The Arts Center is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.   The exhibit and the awards ceremony will be held in Building 16W on the 2nd Floor.   

 “I believe we should be doing everything we can to encourage our students to participate in the arts,” Connolly said.  “I think the Congressional Arts Competition is one way to inspire student artists’ creativity and let them know that others derive satisfaction from the fruits of their labor.” 

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