Washington, D.C. -- The winners of the 2008 Congressional Arts Competition for the First District of Hawaii — including the name of the student-artist who will win a trip to the nation’s capital this summer — will be announced in ceremonies at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 26th at Pearlridge Shopping Center-Uptown in Pearl City, Congressman Neil Abercrombie announced today.

“Each spring, An Artistic Discovery, is sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives to recognize and encourage amazingly talented young artists throughout the country,” said Abercrombie, honorary chair of the competition.  “It’s open to all high school students, and the over-all winners from each Congressional District will be displayed in the Capitol for a year.”

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 650,000 high school students have participated in the nationwide competition, featuring paintings, drawings, prints, photography and computer-generated art.

The judging for the 1st District competition was completed on April 5th and is on display this week at the Pearlridge Shopping Center.
 
“It is so important at a time when local arts groups are being forced to tighten their belts that we have this way to recognize the deep reservoir of talent that we have in Hawai’i,” Abercrombie said.

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