“Rush Hour,” a drawing by Loretta Liu of High School South, has won the 2012 Congressional Art Competition for the 12th District of New Jersey. Liu’s artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol building alongside work by high school artists from across the country. She will be invited to join Rep. Rush Holt in Washington, D.C., for a ribbon-cutting ceremony later this year. Her art teacher is Mary Atlas.
“I congratulate Loretta and all of the winners in this year’s Congressional Art Competition,” said Holt in a press release. “Their work demonstrates great creativity, talent, and originality, and I am honored to showcase their efforts.”
Since 1982, the annual Congressional Art Competition has showcased exceptional art pieces by high school students from many of the nation’s 435 congressional districts. Artworks selected by each member of Congress are displayed for one year in a gallery in the Cannon Tunnel, which connects the Capitol with House office buildings. The tunnel is traveled daily by members of Congress, staff, and visitors, and the gallery is a prominent attraction on tours.
The art competition was judged by Pam Mount, former mayor of Lawrence; Andrea Honore, director of fund development at the Arts Council of Princeton; Maria Evans, community arts manager at the Arts Council of Princeton; Ann Marie Miller, executive director of ArtPrideNJ; Katherine Hackl, artist and owner of Swan Street Studio in Lambertville; and Dot Paolo, owner and director of Rabbet Gallery in North Brunswick.
Other winners from West Windsor and Plainsboro include:
Sneha Sareen, High School South, received second place in the print category for “Spots and Leaves.” Her art teacher is Jane Proulx.
Raisha Friedman, High School North, received second place in the mixed media category for “Untitled.” Her art teacher is Nathan Leventhal.
Lucy Davis, High School North, received first place in the mixed media category for “Deception.” Her art teacher is Jane Prouix.
