The winners of the 2016 Annual Fourth Congressional District Art Competition were announced today by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), who sponsors the annual show.

 “The students’ artwork in the 2016 competition was impressive,” Smith said. “This year we had 63 total entries representing a variety of styles and mediums. It is heartening to see this level of skill and art being cultivated by art teachers and parents in the Fourth Congressional District. I congratulate the ‘Best-in-Show’ winner, Maeve Crane, 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). The competition is open to all high school students in the Fourth Congressional District.

    “I truly appreciate Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for graciously hosting this event at its marvelous Lakefront Studio in Hamilton,” Smith said. “A number of the hospital employees, patients and visitors expressed admiration for the art, and even asked if the show could be extended beyond the three-day show.”

    "I also must acknowledge the volunteer judges who gave of their time for this competition,” Smith said. “The judges—all accomplished artists themselves—were taken back by the high level of artistry submitted. They took the time to write individual notes to each of the students about their work. These notes were presented with congressional certificates to all participants.”

   Judging took place at RWJ Hamilton on April 4. The five winners are:

• Best in Show- Maeve Crane, 12th Grade, Wall High School; “American Jazz” (colored pencil)

• First Place Runner-up- Kaela Rogers, 12th Grade, Point Pleasant Borough High School, “Chilled” (pencil)

• Second Place Runner-up- Micayla Augustyn, 10th Grade, Wall High School; “4 Piece Happy Meal” (colored pencil)

• Third Place Runner-up- Nicolette Keale, 12th Grade, Wall High School; “Bottle Still Life” (white charcoal)

• Honorable Mention- Taylor Cuozzo, 11th Grade, Red Bank Regional High School; “Interior Space” (ebony pencil)

  The 2016 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.

          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.

PICTURED   - The artwork of top winner, Maeve Crane of Wall High School, entitled “American Jazz,” will be on display in Washington, D.C. for one year. (Photo by RWJ-Hamilton’s Courtney Spahr)

For more information about the 2016 NJ-04 show or to view the 2016 and recent year winners, click here. News about the 2017 competition will be posted on the same site in February 2017.

 

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