The winners of the 2017 Annual Congressional Art Competition were announced Thursday by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), who sponsors the annual show for high school students in the Fourth Congressional District.

  “The student artists’ submissions in the 2017 competition were again impressive this year,” Smith said. “We had many entries from across Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties in the Fourth Congressional District. I congratulate ‘Best-in-Show’ winner, Tallia Maglione, and all the winners and participants.”

  The event, which Smith has sponsored for more than 20 years, was held at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJ Hamilton). Work was hung April 24 and will be taken down July 6. An awards presentation was held May 3 at RWJ-Hamilton. The award presentation was held May 3. RWJ-Hamilton President and CEO Richard Freeman was on hand to welcome students and visitors for the ceremony. He also hosted a reception with refreshments and hors d'oeuvre for the gathering.

  “I truly appreciate Robert Wood Johnson University-Hospital for hosting this event at its spectacular Lakefront Gallery in Hamilton,” Smith said. “Hospital employees, patients and visitors have responded so positively to the art last year, that by popular demand we have, for the first time, extended the show from a three or four day show to more than two months. Visitors can enjoy the show though early July.”

  Also new this year, the show will display several pieces of artwork by each judge, and RWJ-Hamilton will handle inquiries of purchasing art in its gallery, including students and judges, that are available for purchase.

  “I also must thank the volunteer judges who gave generously of their time for this competition,” Smith said. “Our judges—all accomplished artists themselves—were very impressed by the high level of artistry, and had a hard time singling out the winners. They took the time to write individual notes to each of the students about their work. These notes will be presented to participants as constructive critiques.”

Best in Show winner "The Carousel" will be displayed at the U.S. Capitol for one year.

  Judging took place at RWJ Hamilton on April 26. The seven winners are:

• Best in Show (Pictured)- Tallia Maglione, 12th Grade, Wall High School; “The Carousel” (acrylic on board)

• First Place Runner-up- Linda Ting, 11th Grade, of Holmdel and attending High-Tech High School, “Memory Lane” (acrylic on canvas)

• Second Place Runner-up- Courtney Pasterchick, 12th Grade, Wall High School; “Music for the Troops” (charcoal)

• Third Place Runner-up- Leanne Donnelly, 12th Grade, Wall High School; “Animal Farm” (scratchboard)

• Honorable Mention-, Micayla Augustyn, 11th Grade, Wall High School; “Happy Bird-Day” (colored pencil)

• Honorable Mention- Dylan Hemmer, 11th Grade, Wall High School; “Donuts” (colored pencil and acrylic on paper)

• Honorable Mention- Laura Brewer, 11th Grade, Point Pleasant Borough High School; “Death Valley” (acrylic)

  The 2017 judges were Debbie Jencsik of Ocean County, N.J.; Jim Inzero, also of Ocean County, N.J., and; Rich Thompson of Mercer County, N.J. Smith gratefully noted the invaluable assistance of Lakefront Gallery curator Sheila Geisler of the Princeton Photo Club which manages shows, and the staff at RWJ-Hamilton. Click here for a summary of the judges’ biographies.

           The RWJ-Hamilton Lakefront Gallery is located on the first floor of the hospital along the mezzanine, directly above the gift shop and café area.  Best access to the gallery can be the main entrance of the hospital (near the U.S. flag pole), located at One Hamilton Health Place in Hamilton. The artwork will be on display during normal visiting hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through July 6, 2017.
 
           Every year the Congressional Institute sponsors this national high school visual art competition to recognize and foster artistic talent in each congressional district. Since the competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated. Participation in the contest is at the discretion of each Member office. Students submit entries to their Member of Congress’s office, and a panel of district judges select the winners. The Best in Show winners are recognized at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., and are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.

           For more information about the 2017 NJ-04 show or to view recent year winners, click here. News about the 2018 competition will be posted on the same site in February or March 2018.

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