U.S. Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) congratulated the winners of the 2013 10th Congressional District Art Competition on Monday, at a reception held at the Chartreuse Muse art gallery in Modesto.
The annual nationwide high school art competition, sponsored by the members of the United States House of Representatives, awards winners from every congressional district by displaying their art on Capitol Hill.
The winners of the 2013 10th Congressional District Art Competition are as follows:
First Place – “The Valley Will Bloom” by Madeleine Gini, Central Catholic High School, Modesto
Second Place – “Reverie of the Hummingbirds” by Flex Maxim Dalit, Merrill West High School, Tracy
Third Place – “Teddy” by John Butler, Ceres High School & “The Bird and the Flower” by Gerardo Paez, Ceres High School
“I couldn’t have done this without the help of my art teacher,” said Gini, 18, a senior at Central Catholic High School. “She is the one who told me about the competition, and it has been such an awesome experience to be a part of.”
Gini's art teacher Lisa Barker attended the reception as well, and said that she always recommends the art competition to her Advanced Art students each year.
“I’m very proud of Madeleine. She is my third student who has gone on to win this competition,” said Barker. “It’s a great opportunity for students.”
Nancy Deckard, the District Office Systems Manager for Denham, said winners were chosen based on their skill level as well as their representation of the valley.
“Being that our District is located within the Central Valley, we try to choose a winner whose art best reflects the valley, since it will be on display as a representation of the District,” said Deckard. “The first place winner this year really tied in that theme beautifully.”
Each district winner will have his or her art piece displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Winning students from each district will also be invited to an awards ceremony hosted on Capitol Hill during the summer of 2013.
“The Congressional Art Competition is a wonderful way for the students of California’s 10th Congressional District to share their talents and a piece of our community with the rest of the nation,” said Denham.
Since its creation in 1982, more than 650,000 students have participated in the nationwide competition.
To learn more about the annual Congressional Art Competition, visit www.house.gov/content/educate/art_competition.
