Washington, D.C. –Today, Congressman Rick Berg announced the North Dakota student chosen as the winner of the 2011 Congressional Art Competition.

In an opportunity to recognize and encourage artistic talent in North Dakota, Congressman Berg participated in the 2011 Congressional Art Competition, selecting a North Dakota student’s artwork to represent North Dakota and be displayed in the U.S. Capitol.  The competition was open to all North Dakota high school students.

Katie Dregseth, a senior at Red River High School in Grand Forks, was chosen as the first place winner.  Her colored pencil drawing of a wooden duck, “Natural Reflection,” will hang in the U.S. Capitol for the next year as part of the Artistic Discovery exhibition.  Katie is the daughter of Rick and Jody Dregseth.

“North Dakota has a rich history of creativity and artistic talent, and I’m pleased that Katie’s drawing will represent our state in the U.S. Capitol,” Congressman Berg stated. “It’s wonderful to see North Dakota students embracing the arts, and I’m delighted that so many participated in this year’s Congressional Art Competition.”

An information packet on the 2011 Congressional Art Competition was distributed to all North Dakota high schools, inviting students to submit original artwork to one of four North Dakota universities for judging.  Finalists were selected by the art departments at North Dakota State University, University of North Dakota, Minot State University and Bismarck State College.  The final selection for the competition winner and runners up was made by Congressman Berg, his wife Tracy and their son Jack.

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