(Gold River, CA)- Congressman Dan Lungren (R-Gold River) hosted a reception on Sunday, May 6, 2007 recognizing local area high school artists in the annual Congressional Art Competition. The Congressional Art Competition, created in 1982, is an annual event in which high school student artists are invited to submit their works of art to be exhibited and considered for prizes. Students from Loretto, Sheldon, Folsom, El Camino, Bella Vista, St. Francis, and Laguna Creek High Schools competed for the top honors.

“I am always impressed with the number of gifted artists we have in our high schools. I look forward to this competition every year,” Lungren said.

The winning work of art is determined by a panel of local artists, art patrons and community leaders.  The winning artist receives three Southwest Airlines tickets to Washington DC to attend a ceremony honoring first place winners from around the country.  The winner will also be awarded a $5000 Artistic Honors scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design.

All Congressional Districts’ winning pieces of art will hang in the Capitol’s Cannon Tunnel for one year.  The 2nd and 3rd Place and People’s Choice winners will hang in Congressman Lungren’s Gold River District Office for one year.

The following student winners were announced at the reception:

First Place: Kathryn Schott, Loretto H.S.   “California Pastoral”, Mixed Media

Second Place: Kevin Pham, Sheldon H.S., “Blinded by the Light”, Charcoal

Third Place: Jake Whiddon, Sheldon H.S.,  “A Balance Found”, Oil Pastel