Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) is announcing the winners of the annual congressional art competition, “An Artistic Discovery.”  The competition conducted by the House of Representatives for the last 26 years, includes hundreds of thousands of high school students from across the nation.  One piece from each Congressional district is displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC. 

 

“Art plays an important role in educating our young people,” said Congressman Higgins. “I am amazed by the outstanding pieces submitted by students each year.  This competition gives us an opportunity to highlight the great talent we have here in Western New York in a national forum.”

 

Winning first place with a digital print titled “A Delicate Balance” was Rhiannon Lay.  Ms. Lay is a student in Ms. Gibson’s class at Lakeshore Senior High School.  The first place student from each district is invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony in the Nation’s Capitol on Thursday June 28, 2007.  Southwest Airlines donated three tickets to Ms. Lay and her family so they can travel to Washington, DC for the opening event. 

 

Coming in second place with a piece called “Diminished” was Anthony Puccio from Mr. Chesley’s class at Cheektowaga Central High School.  Placing third was Rachel Krasicki, a student in Mrs. Russell’s art class at Iroquois Central High School, with her work titled “Old School Softail.”  Receiving an honorable mention with her piece “Liquid Motion.” was Kelly Urbanowski, also a student at Iroquois High School. 

 

Celeste Lawson, Executive Director for the Arts Council in Buffalo and Erie County and Sandy Ludwig, local artist and former art teacher at the Buffalo School for the Visual and Performing Arts served as judges for this year’s competition.