For Release: Monday, May 22, 2006

U.S. CONGRESSMAN COSTELLO ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THE 12TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT ART CONTEST

Washington - Today U.S. Congressman Jerry F. Costello announced the winners of this year's 12th Congressional District High School Art Competition. This year's Congressional competition, called "An Artistic Discovery," took place on Sunday, May 21, 2006 during the Fifth Annual Belleville Art on the Square event in downtown Belleville. Over 200 total entries were received for the competition.

After review by judges from Art on the Square, Costello announced the following Art competition winners from the "Best of Show" entry categories:

            Photo- Erin Humphries from Carbondale High School
            Collage- Kashia Dunbar from Marion High School
            Computer Art- Casey Smith from Johnston City High School
            Mixed Media- Tammy Pham from Marion High School
            Drawing- Grant Walsh from Althoff High School
            Painting- Lisa Girtman from Marion High School
            Prints-Andy Jeralds from Marion High School

Third Place in the overall competition went to Marjorie Wilburn of Belleville Township High School West. She received a $100 Savings Bond and a gift certificate from Watson's Office Supply. Second Place went to Grant Walsh of Althoff High School who received a $150 Savings Bond and gift certificate. The contest's Grand Prize Winner was Ryan Culbertson of Belleville Township High School West. Ryan's winning art work, titled "Jealousy," will be hung, along with other congressional district winners from across the U.S., in the Cannon Office Building Tunnel leading to the U.S. Capitol for 1 year. Ryan will also receive a $3000 scholarship from the Savannah College of Art and Design, 3 round-trip airfare tickets to Washington D.C. for the national recognition ceremonies in June and a $200 Savings Bond and $75 gift certificate to Watson's Office Supply in Fairview Heights.

"The Artistic Discovery competition honors all of the talent that exists in this congressional district among our high school students," said U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello (D-IL), the sponsor of the competition. "I congratulate each of these students for the hard work and creativity they have shown."

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