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Winners of 2014 Congressional Art Competition Unveiled

High school artists from Wall, Red Bank, Freehold Twp. & Boro take top honors in annual 4th Congressional District art venue

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Washington, May 5, 2014 | Jeff Sagnip ((732) 780-3035) | comments

  • Natalie Russell's 1st Place entry "Bella."

  • Kyle Wainwright's 2nd Place winning entry, "Barber Shop."

  • Melissa Sandoval's 3rd Place winning entry "Mom's Kitchen."

  • Paige Clark won an Honorable Mention for her entry "Confidence Shows."

  • Artemis Tapliga, Winner Best in Show: "The Understanding."

The winners of the annual Congressional Art Competition were announced today by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), who organizes the annual show.

    “The artistry of the work entered was amazing,” Smith said. “I am very proud we have this kind of talent in the Fourth Congressional District. The level of competition was very high. I congratulate all the winners and participants.”
 
    TO VIEW FULL PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE 2014 WINNERS, click here

Held at Georgian Court University’s Sister M. Christine Geis Art Gallery, Smith’s office had 88 entries submitted this year, the highest in years.  There were 15 schools that participated – one Catholic High School, two Special Education Schools, and 12 public high schools.

    “The judges thought that all of the works were excellent and the students should be commended,” Smith said. “I appreciate the judges volunteering their time and Georgian Court University’s gracious offer to host this competition each year.”

    The winners were announced by the judges Thursday night, May 1:

Best in Show – “The Understanding” (pencil), by Artemis Tapliga, 12th grade, Wall High School

1st Place – “Bella” (duct tape), by Natalie Russell, 11th grade, Red Bank Regional High School

2nd Place – “ Barber Shop” (Oil Paint), by Kyle Wainwright, 11th grade, Red Bank Regional High School

3rd Place – “Mom’s Kitchen” (pastel), by Melissa Sandoval, 12th grade, Freehold Borough High School

Honorable Mention – “Confidence Shows” (photograph) Paige Clarke, 10th Grade, Freehold Twp.  High School

    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 the winning works are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.

ABOVE: Best in Show, “The Understanding” by Artemis Tapliga of Wall, N.J.


      For more information about the 2014 NJ-04 show, or to view FULL PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE 2014 WINNERS, click here. News about the 2015 competition will be posted on the same site in February 2015.

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