Bellefonte Student Takes Home Top Prize at 2018 Congressional Art Competition
BELLEFONTE, Pa. – U.S. Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson today announced the winner of the 2018 Congressional Art Competition: Ms. Megan Smith, a 12th-grader at Bellefonte Area High School.
Ms. Smith, of Bellefonte, won for her mixed-media drawing titled “Spoons.” An independent panel of judges selected Ms. Smith’s work from 39 entries, which is one of the largest groups of students to participate in Pennsylvania’s Fifth Congressional District art competition.
The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for Members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, more than 650,000 high school students have participated in the nationwide competition.
Ms. Smith’s artwork will be displayed in a special exhibit in the U.S. Capitol for one year with winners from each congressional district in the nation. She is invited to attend a reception in Washington, D.C. with other winners, which will take place in June.
“Congratulations to Megan on winning First Place in the annual Artistic Discovery Congressional Art Competition,” Rep. Thompson said. “I look forward to seeing her work hang in the tunnel to the Capitol with winners from throughout the country. It truly is a phenomenal year-long exhibit. I am proud of each of the 39 contestants and I hope all those who are eligible enter this fantastic competition again next year.”
The winners were announced during an exhibit at the Winkler Gallery of Fine Art in DuBois, Pa.:
First Place
NAME: Megan Smith
GRADE/SCHOOL: 12th-grader at Bellefonte Area High School;
HOMETOWN: Bellefonte, Pa.
WORK/MEDIUM: “Spoons” – mixed-media drawing
Second Place
NAME: Isabella Corman
GRADE/SCHOOL: 9th-grader at Bellefonte Area High School
HOMETOWN: Bellefonte, Pa.
WORK/MEDIUM: “Silverware” – mixed-media drawing
Third Place
NAME: Anna Grace Catherman
GRADE/SCHOOL: 9th-grader, Homeschooled
HOMETOWN: Clearfield, Pa.
WORK/MEDIUM: “Gypsy Glow” – photography