GW Virginia Science and Technology Campus Hosts 10th Congressional Art Exhibit (2013)


April 1, 2013

GW Virgtinia Science and Technology Campus Hosts 10th Congressional Art Exhibit (2013)

From left to right: Best of Show Winner Hope Martin, Battlefield High School, Prince Wm County, shown with her artwork and Frank Ruggles, National Park Service photographer and event speaker,U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va. Photo courtesy of Rep. Wolf's office

The university, in partnership with U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., hosted the 10th District Congressional Art Show March 21 through April 22, 2013. The exhibit, displayed at the GW Virginia Science & Technology Campus (VSTC), featured more than 325 works by nearly 200 area high school students, representing 23 schools from the 10th Congressional District. Geographic representation included Loudoun, Clarke, and Fredrick Counties, as well as parts of Fairfax and Prince William Counties, and the cities of Manassas, Manassas Park, and Winchester.

The show, part of a national, annual competition sponsored by the Congressional Institute, provides an opportunity to encourage and recognize the rich artistic talents of high school students throughout the country. Since the competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated. Participation in the contest is at the discretion of each Member office. Congressman Wolf’s office has participated for twelve years. The GW Virginia Science & Technology Campus has hosted the exhibit since 2010.

Each district selects a Best in Show winner that is displayed for a year in the Cannon Tunnel, a pedestrian walkway leading from the Cannon Office Building to the United States Capitol. In addition to the top winner, ribbons are awarded for first, second, and third place, as well as honorable mention, in the categories of photography, drawing, painting, mixed media, print making, computer-generated art, and collage. The 2013 judges were Michael Keegan, Linda Neel, and Tom Neel.

The opening reception, held on Campus March 21st, drew more than 300 visitors, including student artists, their families, friends and teachers. The program included remarks by VSTC’s Dean Ali Eskandarian and Congressman Wolf, as well as inspirational comments by the event’s keynote speaker, Frank Lee Ruggles. Ruggles, the official photographer of the National Park Service, will soon be the star of a new television series, “The Warrior Artist,” that will take viewers along his favorite National Park trails and provide photography lessons.

 

Photograph of a woman's face

2013 Best in Show awarded to Hope Martin, a junior from Battlefield High School in Prince William County for her charcoal drawing, titled “Bunny.” (Photo courtesy of U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf's office)

 

Rep. Wolf presented certificates to all of the artists present and announced the 2013 Best in Show winner as Hope Martin, a junior from Battlefield High School in Prince William County. Her drawing, “Bunny,” is a charcoal drawing of a friend who was going through tough times, just before enjoying a bit of laughter. All prize winners are listed below by category.

COLLAGE

  • 1st Place:  Adrian Lee, J Art Studio
  • 2nd Place:  Julia Halsberma, Sherando HS
  • 3rd Place:  Breanne Morro, Briar Woods HS
  • Honorable Mention:  None

COMPUTER GENERATED ART

  • 1st Place:  Krista Sanders, CS Monroe Technology Center
  • 2nd Place:  Adrian Hutson, CS Monroe Technology Center
  • 3rd Place:  Ryan Walter, Freedom HS
  • Honorable Mention:  Johne' Jones, CS Monroe Technology Center

DRAWING

  • 1st Place:  Caroline Greer, Middleburg Academy
  • 2nd Place:  Milenka Bascope, Loudoun County HS
  • 3rd Place:  Quang Pham, Battlefield HS
  • Honorable Mention (2 awarded):  Kelsey Spriggs, Loudoun Valley HS Nicole Whalley, Loudoun County HS

MIXED MEDIA

  • 1st Place:  Katherine Olson, Potomac Falls HS
  • 2nd Place:  Lexa Gantt, Heritage HS
  • 3rd Place:  Jacob Rodriquez, Heritage HS
  • Honorable Mention:  Johne' Jones, CS Monroe Technology Center

PAINTING

  • 1st Place:  Aubria Hall, Battlefield HS
  • 2nd Place:  Thomas Shin, J Art Studio
  • 3rd Place:  Kelsey Ponder, Osbourn Park HS
  • Honorable Mention:  Mikaela Mohardt, John Champe HS

PHOTOGRAPHY

  • 1st Place:  Alicia Lurie, Dominion HS
  • 2nd Place:  Sammie Sheedy, Loudoun County HS
  • 3rd Place:  Kathryn Hartzog, Freedom HS
  • Honorable Mention:  Alicia Lurie, Dominion HS

PRINTMAKING

  • 1st Place:  Kathryn Hammond, Heritage HS
  • 2nd Place:  Hayley Tilghman, Potomac Falls High School
  • 3rd Place:  Grace Manser, Heritage HS
  • Honorable Mention:  Audrey Ramsey, Battlefield HS

 

In total 28 awards were given to the talented students. The university was honored to host the exhibit for the fourth year and looks forward to continuing our involvement in future years.