Rep. Miller Announces Winners of This Year’s Congressional Art Competition

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Candice Miller (MI-10) today announced the First, Second, Third, the online “Fan Favorite,” and two honorable mention winners for this year’s 2012 Artistic Discovery art competition.  The Congressional Art Competition, created in 1982, honors high school students from each of the nation’s congressional districts.  This year 72 pieces of artwork from Michigan’s 10th Congressional District were entered into the contest. 

“We have a wonderful array of talented students living in our communities and I was so honored to be able to highlight all of their artistic work through this year’s competition,” Miller said.  “I congratulate our winners: Jonathan Cooke, Amber McCausland, Amanda Schmidt, Kerrie Zhu, and Jennifer Clotfelter.  Each and every one of the students should be immensely proud of themselves and I hope they will all continue to grow their talents.”

First place: Jonathan Cooke (Port Huron High School) for his artwork “Breeze”
Jonathan Cooke’s artwork will be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the United States Capitol for one year.

Second place: Amber McCausland (L'Anse Creuse High School) for her artwork “Calypso”
Amber McCausland’s artwork will be displayed in Rep. Miller’s Washington, D.C. office for one year.

Third place: Amanda Schmidt (Stevenson High School) for her artwork “Mixed Emotions”
Amanda Schmidt’s artwork will be displayed in Rep. Miller’s Shelby Township office for one year.

“Fan Favorite” winner is: Amber McCausland (L'Anse Creuse High School) for her artwork “Calypso” with 230+ Facebook “Likes”
Amber McCausland will receive a U.S. Flag which was flown over the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

Honorable Mentions go to:
Kerrie Zhu (Stevenson High School) for her untitled artwork,

and Jennifer Clotfelter (Richmond High School) for her artwork “American Flag”

First, Second, Third places and Honorable Mentions were judged by:
• Sharon Will, resident of Washington Township, Michigan, award winning pastel and oil artist
• Vianna Szabo, resident of Romeo, Michigan, professional portrait artist with specialties in oil, pastels, charcoal, and watercolor.
• JoAnne Wilke, resident of St Clair, Michigan, President of the St. Clair Art Association.
• Lee- Perry Belleau, resident of Port Huron, Michigan, Executive Director of Studio 1219.
Voting for this year’s “Fan Favorite” took place over a two-week period and on Rep. Miller’s Facebook page.  The winner was decided by the number of “Likes” an individual artwork received by the end of the voting period.  To view all of Michigan’s 10th Congressional art submissions, please visit: http://www.facebook.com/CongresswomanCandiceMiller.

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