The winners of the 2015 Annual Congressional Art Competition were announced today by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), who organizes the annual show.

 “The students’ artwork entered this year was splendid,” Smith said. “This year we had 69 total entries representing a variety of styles and mediums. It is good to know this level of artistry is being fostered by art teachers in the Fourth Congressional District. I congratulate all the winners and participants.”

The event was held at Georgian Court University’s (GCU) Sister M. Christine Geis Art Gallery. The competition is open to all high school students in the Fourth Congressional District.

“I thank the judges who volunteered their time and Georgian Court University which once again hosted this competition,” Smith said. “The judges were very impressed and took the time to write individual notes to each of the students about their work. These notes were presented with congressional certificates.”

Judging took place at GCU April 30. The winners are:

Best in Show – "Grandpa Tony" (acrylic) by Dominique Trotte - Howell High School - Grade 12

1st Place – “Scrabble Tiles"  (color pencil) by Alyssa Bartlett - Wall High School - Grade 11

2nd Place – “Field Journal" (pencil and charcoal) by Andrea Dumalagan - Freehold Township High School - Grade 11

3rd Place – "Convention Hall" (acrylic on canvas)  by Angel Ramos - Wall High School - Grade 12

Honorable Mention – "Coast" by Jorge Cortes-Breistan - Freehold Township High School - Grade 11 - watercolor

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.

ABOVE: "Grandpa Tony" done in acrylic by Dominique Trotte of Howell Township, N.J., will be on display in Washington, D.C. for one year.

For more information about the 2015 NJ-04 show or to view the 2015 and recent year winners, click here. News about the 2016 competition will be posted on the same site in February 2016.