(Louisville, KY) At a reception at Actor’s Theatre Louisville, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) announced that Colleen O'Dell, a senior at Atherton High School, is the winner of this year’s Congressional Art Competition.  Colleen’s piece, “Surgeon,” a meticulously detailed and life-like pencil drawing, will be on display in the Capitol’s “Artistic Discovery” corridor.  She will also receive round trip air fare to visit the exhibit.

"It's really exciting for me to know that my work will be seen with so many great young artists from around the country. I'm really looking forward to going up to Washington and seeing the exhibit for myself,” said O’Dell who in addition to her artistic accomplishments speaks fluent Japanese.

“Each year, this exhibition grows, and the body of work for this year’s competition was an excellent showcase of the immense talent of Louisville students,” said Congressman Yarmuth, who shares Colleen’s alma mater.  “I am brimming with Atherton pride and look forward to showing off Colleen’s work in the Capitol.

Seventy one entries  were submitted and the winning pieces were chosen by three prominent Louisville art experts: James Grubola, head of the Fine Arts Department and Director of Hite Institute at the University of Louisville; Joyce Garner, an accomplished artist and partner in the Garner/Furnish Studio on Market Street; and Cathy Shannon, owner/curator of the E and S Art Gallery on South 10th Street.

The prizes are listed below:

Grand Prize
Colleen O'Dell – “Surgeon”
Atherton

Runner Up
Scott Leonhardt – “Mom’s Hand”
Trinity

Best Use of Medium
Lauren Wessel – “Lord of the Flies”
Manual

Best Narrative Quality
Christen Armstrong – “Bathing in our Consequences”
Assumption

Best Use of Color
Amy Brutscher – “Financial Fury Warhol Style”
Assumption

Honorable Mentions
Ashley Harlow – “The Tree”
Atherton

Hanna Kim – “Underhand”
duPont Manual