Young Artists from Belt, Billings, Great Falls, Joliet, and Whitefish Receive Honors

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced that Zoe Yeager, from Conrad, has been selected as the grand prize winner of Montana’s Congressional Art Competition for 2008.  Rehberg will join Yeager and her mother, Paula Hudson, in a Capitol Hill ceremony in June where her artwork will be unveiled and displayed for one year in the Cannon Tunnel along with the artwork of winners from other congressional districts.  The Cannon Tunnel is a pedestrian walkway, leading to the United States Capitol building, frequented by Members of Congress, staff, and the general public.

“It makes me proud to showcase the talents of the people of my home state,” said Rehberg.  “I look forward to seeing Zoe’s picture on the walls of the Cannon Tunnel representing the people of Montana.”

Yeager is a senior at Conrad High School.  Her artwork was selected from among the entries submitted from all across Montana in the “Artistic Discovery” contest, a U.S. House of Representatives art competition which has been held annually since 1982.  Yeager’s acrylic painting is entitled “Grandpa Ray,” and is an artistic representation of a Montana farmer examining a head of wheat in a wheat field.

“This painting is in remembrance of and a tribute to my grandpa. I never really knew my grandpa that well because he died when I was eight years old.  I wish I would have been able to have more years with him,” said Yeager.  “I’m extremely excited to be selected as the winner of the art competition. It’s kind of intimidating that I’m going to represent the entire state of Montana with my artwork, but I hope that I represent Montana well.”

As the grand prize winner, Yeager will receive airfare and accommodations for her and a guest for the artwork’s unveiling ceremony in Washington D.C., in late June.  She’ll also receive a $1,000 art scholarship offer from the University of Montana and Montana State University.  Zoe is the daughter of Paula Hudson and George Yeager of Conrad.  Wayne Anderson is Yeager’s art teacher at Conrad High School.  Anderson is retiring from teaching after the school year.

In addition to the grand prize winner, Rehberg also recognized Ellyn Bumgarner, a senior at Belt High School, as the first place winner for her pencil drawing entitled “Bugling Elk.”  Bumgarner’s artwork will be featured in Rehberg’s Washington D.C. office.

Honorable mention winners will have their artwork displayed in Rehberg’s four Montana District Offices:

Ryan Huppert, a senior at Billings Central, acrylic painting “Sunrise in the Beartooths” displayed at Rehberg’s Billings District Office, 1201 Grand Avenue.  Huppert’s art teacher is Barbra Jo Petak

Ella Darham, a home-schooled senior from Helena, photography, “Vet Barn,” displayed at Rehberg’s Helena District Office, 950 North Montana Avenue.  Darham’s art teacher is her mother, Nan Darham

Tyler Murphy, a senior at Joliet High School, pastel drawing, “Sunshine on Guard,” displayed at Rehberg’s Great Falls District Office, 105 Smelter Avenue Northeast.  Murphy’s art teacher is Betsy Suckow.

Falina Lintner, a junior at Whitefish High School, oil painting, “Chief Mountain,” displayed at Rehberg’s Missoula District Office, 301 East Broadway.  Lintner’s art teacher is Lonnie Collinsworth

To view the winning submissions, and all of the 2008 Congressional Art Competition entries from Montana, visit Rehberg’s congressional web site, at http://www.house.gov/rehberg/art/

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