Winners of the 2013 Congressional Art Competition Announced

Congressman Michael Michaud and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree have announced the winners of the 2013 Congressional Art Competition in Maine.

Wiggly Bridge in the Rain—York, Maine - Eliza Hazen
A Constructed Home - Brianna Hall

Brianna Hall of Rangeley Lakes Regional School and Eliza Hazen of York, a senior at Berwick Academy, were selected by a panel of experts to represent Maine in a year-long show in Washington, D.C. These students are among over 700,000 that have now taken part in this contest nationwide.

The Congressional Art Competition, jointly run by the Maine Arts Commission and Maine's congressional offices, began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. It is open to all high school students. The over-all winner of each participating district has the opportunity to have their work displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol for the entire year, beginning in June. In addition, winners will be flown to Washington, DC, for the official opening of the show in June.

Congressman Michaud congratulated Brianna Hall and noted that her winning artwork, A Constructed Home, which is a collage of gelatin monoprints “will bring some much-needed Maine-made artwork to the nation’s capital.”

Congresswoman Pingree praised Eliza Hazen for her award winning painting, Wiggly Bridge in the Rain—York, Maine. “Her painting speaks from the heart about the special connection Mainers have with the water,”

The 2013 first place winners will be joined by four runners-up from each congressional district when they meet with representatives from the Congressional Offices at a Blaine House reception held in their honor. This event is the culmination of a close partnership between the Maine Arts Commission and Maine's Congressional offices. Both of Maine's congressional delegates support this program enthusiastically and have provided their full support throughout the process.

The 2013 Student Honorees in full:

 1st Congressional District

• Eliza Hazen, 12th Grade, Berwick Academy, York
• Lauren Merritt, 11th Grade, Camden Hills Regional High School, Camden
• Jacob Richards, 12th Grade, Gray-New Gloucester High School, New Gloucester
• Jocelyn DeSisto, 12th Grade, Marshwood High School, South Berwick
• Katerina Adams, 11th Grade, Sacopee Valley High School, Parsonsfield

2nd Congressional District

• Brianna Hall, 11th Grade, Rangeley Lakes Regional School, Rangeley
• Sarah McQuoid, 11th Grade, Bangor High School, Bangor
• Taylor Leighton, 12th Grade, Bangor High School, Bangor
• Dayna DeRaps, 12th Grade, Nokomis Regional High School, St. Albans
• Caroline Colan, 12th Grade, Maranacook Community High School, Readfield