- Competition Winner to Have Artwork Displayed in U.S. Capitol, Receive Trip to Washington -

Brewster, NY – Joining with student-artists from throughout the 19th Congressional District at the Putnam Arts Council on Monday night, U.S. Rep. John Hall (D-NY19) announced the winners of "An Artistic Discovery" Congressional Art Competition that Hall organized for area high school students. Taking home the 1st Place Prize in the competition was Ariel Low of John Jay High School, who will have her artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol and receive an expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC for "An Artistic Discovery" opening ceremonies on June 24, 2009. The two 2nd Place winners, Katherine Santos of Brewster High School and Jamie Lorenzut of Mahopac High School, will have their artwork displayed in Congressman Hall’s Carmel and Goshen District Offices respectively.

"The Hudson Valley has long been home to great artists and a source for their inspiration, and the students who participated in this competition show our region's artistic tradition is still alive and well," said Hall. "The talent on display by our local students greatly impressed me, and I know it will do the same to my colleagues on Capitol Hill and visitors to my offices."

Artists Discuss Different Mediums Used in Their Work with Rep. Hall

Congressman Hall sponsored the art competition and exhibition for high school students in New York’s 19th Congressional District. Submitted artwork from across the district was selected by a distinguished panel of community artists and will be displayed in an exhibit at the Putnam Arts Council at Tilly Foster Farm from May 11th to May 30th. All participants received a certificate from Congressman Hall and entrance into the awards show.

Those students who placed and received honorable mentions in the Congressional Art Competition are:

     1st Place – Ariel Low, John Jay HS
     2nd Place – Katherine Santos, Brewster HS
     2nd Place – Jamie Lorenzut, Mahopac HS
     Honorable Mention for Painting – Gerald Daley, Monroe-Woodbury HS
     Honorable Mention for Drawing – Katherine Flynn, John Jay HS
     Honorable Mention for Mixed Media – Colleen O’Dowd, Monroe-Woodbury HS
     Honorable Mention for Photography – Danielle Ripp, Warwick HS
     Honorable Mention for Quadricentennial – Stephanie Coffman, Mahopac HS

Ariel Low, the competition's 1st Place winner with her work entitled the 'The Secret Life of Shoes' in the colored pencils medium, felt both surprise and excitement upon hearing the news. "I almost didn't come!," said Ms. Low, citing a rush of schoolwork that awaited her the next day. On the prospect of lawmakers in Washington seeing her artwork and the trip she won to the Capitol, she added, "Its kind of crazy and intimidating, considering I visited Washington years ago and didn't get to see much then, and now I'll be going back and get to see my work on display with everything else."

Rep. John Hall and 1st Place Winner Ariel Low, Standing Next to Her Winning Entry

Ms. Low's art teacher, Julie Evans-Kaser, weighed in on Congressman Hall's Art Competition and seeing one of her students take home its top prize. "This is a fantastic chance for local students to display their artwork among the local artistic community and is an important part of their creative development and self-discovery," said Ms. Kaser. "And being able to have their work displayed in Washington, DC is both a rare and exciting opportunity that would not otherwise be possible."

"I have always championed the place of the arts in our children's education, and the students who competed here have shown through their creativity that there is a continued need to foster their talents," Hall added.

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