On Saturday, April 28, Wisconsin’s First District Congressman and House Speaker Paul Ryan announced East Troy High School senior Rachel Gilpatrick as the winner of the 2018 First District Congressional Art Competition. Rachel’s piece, titled Self-Pointret, is a portrait of herself using black artist pen. Her teacher is Lori Puls. Rachel was honored during a ceremony held at the Monte Carlo Room in Elkhorn. The ceremony was attended by the student artists, their families, their art teachers, and the judges of the First District Art Competition.
"Since launching the First District Congressional Art Competition 20 years ago, I have been fortunate to witness hundreds of high school students develop their rich artistic talents and be recognized at local and national levels. I want to congratulate Rachel on her well-deserved achievement, and I look forward to seeing her artwork displayed at the United States Capitol.
This year’s 20th annual competition marks my last as the First District Congressman, and it gave me the opportunity to reflect on how this program has grown and developed over the years. The one element that hasn’t changed is the incredible artistic talent that exists at First District public and parochial high schools. It was also especially moving to see over 100 people show up to support these 17 talented student artists at the ceremony. Every year, I am in awe of the students’ artistic abilities, and I remain thankful for the invaluable support that art teachers and parents have provided these students” said Congressman Ryan.
Congressman Ryan poses with Rachel Gilpatrick and her winning piece, titled Self-Pointret
Since 1999, Congressman Ryan has invited high schools students in the First District to participate in the congressional art competition. The winning artwork is selected by a panel of judges comprised of local artists, and is then submitted to represent Wisconsin’s First District in the national “Congressional Art Competition: An Artistic Discovery.” This nationwide art competition, which is voluntarily sponsored by members of Congress, gives high-school artists the opportunity to showcase their work locally, as well as the chance to be recognized at the national level for their talent and creativity. The winning artwork from each district is put on display within the U.S. Capitol for an entire year where it can be viewed by the millions of visitors who pass through the Capitol throughout the year.
