Student artwork will hang in U.S. Capitol
Today, Representatives Mike Michaud and Chellie Pingree announced the winners of the 2009 Congressional Arts Competition for Maine. Michele Jaffarian, a senior at Rangeley Lakes Regional School, was announced as the winner for Maine's Second Congressional District, and Suki Nesvig of Portland, a senior at Waynflete School, was announced as the First Congressional District's winner. The winners were chosen by jurors selected by the Maine Arts Commission. The two winners and their families will be flown to Washington, courtesy of complimentary airline tickets provided by sponsors of the competition, to be part of the ribbon cutting ceremony that will formally open the show in June.
"We had many impressive entries," Pingree said, "and I congratulate Suki for winning a very competitive contest. Maine has been the home to some of our country's greatest artists. We have a tradition in our state of supporting and encouraging the arts and I was thrilled to see the terrific pieces of student art in this contest."
Suki Nesvig's winning art is a woodblock print. Michele Jaffarian's winning art is a colored pencil piece entitled "Bindings," which is an abstracted view of ski equipment.
"The winners and the runners-up of this art competition always remind me of the tremendous skill and promise among our young adults in Maine," said Michaud. "I appreciate all those who participated this year and the tremendous role that the Maine Arts Commission played in the competition. The arts have been proven to help our children achieve in school. The arts also help us tell our story as a people, and they play an important role in maintaining and strengthening our way of life."
Each year, thousands of students across the country enter the Congressional High School Art Competition. One winner is chosen from each Congressional District, and their artwork is hung in a corridor of the U.S. Capitol building.
"Every day I, along with hundreds of other Members of Congress, staff and visitors walk down that corridor and see that artwork," Pingree said.
"Walking by the artwork from this competition reminds Members of Congress and their staff of their state's and districts," said Michaud. "It's a warm reminder of home every time I walk to the Capitol to vote or attend meetings."
Before Members of Congress get to see the complete art show in Washington, the Maine winners will be accompanied by runners-up, proud parents, teachers and well wishers as they receive recognition for their fine work at a Blaine House reception here in Maine.
Maine's arts enthusiasts will also benefit from a preview show as the two winning pieces, along with the runners up, will be publicly exhibited in the Governor's Gallery of Maine's Capitol from May 4 to May 22. The two winning pieces will then be transported to Washington to be part of the national exhibit.
In addition to the winners, the jury also chose the following runners-up:
First District Runners-Up:
Alex Bucaro from Portland High School, Christina Carver from Rockland District High School and Ike Voorhees from Waynflete School.
Second District Runners-Up:
Sheila Currier from Dexter Regional High School, Erin Aitken from Edward Little High School and Michael Peitersen from Edward Little High School.
Image:Second Congressional District First Place Winner
Michele Jaffarian from Rangeley Lakes Regional High School
Art teacher, Sonja Johnson. "Bindings" Colored Pencil, 8.5" x 11", 2009
For more information:
Contact: Darrell Bulmer
Phone: 207/287-6746
email: darrell.bulmer@maine.gov
WWW: mainearts.com
