Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition is sponsored by the members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The 2016 competition was open to all high school students in the Third District. From the 76 entries representing twelve schools, the top five finalists will be selected by a panel judges from the community, including Jeannie Hulen, University of Arkansas Department of Art Chair and Associate Professor of Ceramics, Dylan Turk, Curatorial Assistant at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, and local artist Kent Landrum of Fayetteville.
Today, Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) hosted an awards presentation and finalist unveiling at the Pryor Center in Fayetteville, where he announced that Samantha Smith of Siloam Springs High School won first place for her piece, “Cheeks.” It will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol.
Other finalists included:
• Second place: “Allegro,” by Emma Gregory of Pottsville High School
• Third place: “Thoughts,” by Brett Cox of Siloam Springs High School
• Fourth place: “Teenagers,” by James Reynolds of Gentry High School
• Fifth place: “Under the Sea,” by Yesenia Telles Martinez of Siloam Springs High School
In addition to these finalists, Congressman Womack recognized two additional awardees:
• People’s Choice Award: “Welcoming Embrace,” by Lowell Matias of Van Buren Freshman Academy
• Patriot Award: “The American Dream,” by Kat Mize of Life Way Christian School
“I am proud to host the Congressional Art Competition and have the opportunity to encourage and showcase the incredibly impressive works of our Third District high school artists. Their artistic talent is astounding! Thank you to the high schoolers who participated in the 2016 competition, and congratulations to our awardees, especially Samantha Smith! I look forward to seeing “Cheeks” as I walk through the halls of the Capitol.”
Congressman Steve Womack has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011 and serves on the House Appropriations Defense, Financial Services and General Government, and Labor-Health and Human Services subcommittees and the House Committee on the Budget.
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