Congressional Art Competition winner meets Rep. Messer, sees winning art hanging in Capitol

WASHINGTON— Today, this year’s Congressional Art Competition Winner from Indiana’s 6th District got to tour the U.S. Capitol and see her art on display for the first time.  Jennifer Wheeler is a Morristown High School student and came to D.C. for the Congressional Art Competition winners’ reception which will be held tonight. 

“Jennifer is certainly a talented art student, and I’m proud to have her work representing the 6th District,” said Congressman Luke Messer. “It is a beautiful addition to the Cannon Tunnel wall and I look forward to seeing it as I walk to the Capitol every day.” 

Wheeler has never been to D.C. before and says the highlight of her visit was getting her picture taken with Congressman Messer and seeing her work of art hanging in the Cannon Tunnel.

“It felt good knowing I was representing our district and [my artwork] was hanging next to other amazing artwork from high schoolers,” said Wheeler.

Her art teacher, Kathryn Smith, had this to say about her award winning student: “Jennifer has really done a great job this year in photography.  Her photograph ‘After the Rain’ was taken on a school field trip for Photography class to the Indianapolis Museum of Art.  She captured the photo perfectly at the gardens there.  This photo also won 1st place in Photography at the Annual Student Art Show we have here at the high school.  I'm so proud to have students like Jennifer who prove to be such great artists even in a small town like Morristown, Indiana!”

About the Congressional Art Competition

Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors the nationwide Congressional Art Competition.  Since its inception in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated.  If you would like more information about the Congressional Art Competition, you can find it on Rep. Luke Messer’s website www.Messer.house.gov/services.