About the Congressional Art Awards
The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for Members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, over 700,000 high school students have competed for the honor of having their work shown in the U.S. Capitol.
The competition is open to all high school students. The overall winner of each participating district will have 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, D.C. for the official opening of the show in June.
The Maine Arts Commission partners with the Maine College of Art and the National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards to select the artwork. Gold and silver winners from the Maine Regional Scholastic Art Awards are automatically submitted to be juried in February for the Congressional Art Competition.
2017 Congressional Art Award Winners
DISTRICT ONE |
DISTRICT TWO |
 Touch of Pink by Taylor Worthington of Brunswick Grade 12, Brunswick High School Art Teacher: Allison Price |
 Jill by Lizzie Dunn of Houlton Grade 10, Houlton Jr./Sr. High School Art Teacher: Pamela Chernesky |
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and Congressman Bruce Poliquin are pleased to announce the winners of the 2017 Congressional Arts Awards in Maine’s Congressional Districts.
Taylor Worthington, a senior from Brunswick High School received the congratulatory call from Maine's 1st District Congresswoman Chellie Pingree on his winning artwork "Touch of Pink." “The artwork Maine students create in this competition has always been impressive, and this year is no exception,” Pingree said. “Taylor’s colorful portrait is a stunning piece that will certainly catch people’s eyes when it is on display at the Capitol. My congratulations to him and all the top finishers of this year’s competition—everyone’s work was truly exceptional.”
Lizzie Dunn, a sophomore from Houlton High School, took top honors from Maine's Second District with her artwork "Jill." “Every year, I am awestruck by the incredible talent and hard work of our high school students in Maine through this competition,” said Congressman Poliquin. “I’m extraordinarily proud of all our participants this year and I congratulate Lizzie for working so hard to achieve this. I’m so delighted to display Lizzie’s artwork in the U.S. Capitol, where thousands of Americans from across the country can enjoy this piece of Maine’s culture and talent.”
The Executive Director of the Maine Arts Commission, Julie Richard stated, “We are thrilled to be able to work with our Congressional offices and the Maine College of Art to honor these talented students in this way. There is so much creativity in our State and this year’s winners and runners up certainly exemplify that."
DISTRICT ONE |
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DISTRICT TWO |
| FIRST RUNNER UP | FIRST RUNNER UP | |
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Lost At Sea Photography |
Macau Watercolor Painting | |
| Katie Sprague Grade 12, Kents Hill School
Art Teacher: Babette Wheelden |
Sherwin Yuen Grade 12, Bangor High School
Art Teacher: Susan Bryand |
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| SECOND RUNNER UP | SECOND RUNNER UP | |
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Moo You Photography |
The Story of the Banjo Maker Drawing and Illustration | |
| Nicholas Maynard Grade 11, Wells High School
Art Teacher: Vanessa White-Capelluti |
Dolphine Penzo Grade 11, Hebron Academy
Art Teacher: Jeanine Eschenbach |
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| HONORABLE MENTION | HONORABLE MENTION | |
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| Angler Fish | Self-Portrait Acrylic Painting | |
| Bennett Hight Grade 12, Freeport High School
Art Teacher: Kimberly Medsker-Mehalic |
Sherwin Yuen Grade 12, Bangor High School
Art Teacher: Susan Bryand |
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| HONORABLE MENTION | HONORABLE MENTION | |
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| Flora Fish (As Vase) Drawing and Illustration | The Last Straw Photopgraphy | |
| Morgan Schlaack Grade 11, Brunswick High School
Art Teacher: Colleen Kearney-Graffam |
Lauren Rousseau Grade 12, Hebron Academy
Art Teacher: Jeanine Eschenbach |
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| HONORABLE MENTION | HONORABLE MENTION | |
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| Island Cove Acrylic Painting | Repetition Painting | |
| Sarah Belling Grade 10, Brunswick High School
Art Teacher: Colleen Kearney-Graffam |
Eli Clein Grade 12, Hebron Academy
Art Teacher: Jeanine Eschenbach |
For information about the Congressional Art Competition please contact Julie Horn at the Maine Arts Commission, at 207-287-2790 or vog.eniam@nroh.eiluj