For Immediate Release:
Friday, April 14, 2006

MUSKOGEE, Okla. - Congressman Dan Boren today honored more than 100 local youth artists and announced the top entries of the Congressional Artistic Discovery competition.  Winners announced today at NSU Muskogee’s Mike Synar Center.

 

“I’m impressed with the participation by local schools, and with the talent of all our young artists,” Boren said.

 

Artistic Discovery is the annual high school art competition that recognizes student art work from congressional districts across the country.  The winning piece from each congressional district will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol building. 

 

This is the second year Congressman Boren has hosted the Artistic Discovery competition in Oklahoma’s Second Congressional District.  118 entries were received from 11 area schools.  The winners were selected by a panel of judges from local universities.

 

The overall Best of Show winner was Amanda Whitehead of Inola.  Her piece, titled “Venice,” will hang in the U.S. Capitol alongside other winners from across the nation.

 

Boren underscored the importance of encouraging artistic development in youth.  “Giving our young artists a forum for success is essential to our cultural development,” Boren said.  “Quality of life is an important factor in any community, and the arts are a part of that,” Boren said.

 

Local support for the contest was also drawn from community partners including: Muskogee Public Schools, the Muskogee Public Library, the Muskogee Arts Council, and Northeastern State University which provided scholarship funds to the winner. 

 

A complete list of award winners by category is attached.

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Colored Pencil

First................ “Dock Rope”...................................... Amanda Whitehead................. Inola Schools

Second............ “Horse”............................................... Stacy Rutherford..................... Inola Schools

Third............... “The Hunt”.......................................... Stacy Rutherford..................... Inola Schools

HM................. “Good Ol’ Days”................................. Hope Chrysler......................... Beggs School

HM................. “Angel of Heresy”................................ Elliott Robbins......................... Muskogee School

 

Ink/Scratchboard

First (tie)......... ”Zebra”............................................... Jessica Kirkland...................... Vian Schools

First (tie)......... “ Springtime”....................................... Chris Lafitte............................. Vian Schools

Second............ “Self Portrait”...................................... Adam Hamil............................ Porum Schools

HM................. “Camel”.............................................. Melody Davis.......................... Inola Schools

HM................. “Wolf”................................................. David Karajczyh...................... Inola Schools

 

Mixed Media

First................ “Capital Punishment?”.......................... Megan Arnold......................... Muskogee Schools

HM................. “Domestic Violence?........................... Glorianna Vercruyssen............. Muskogee Schools

HM................. “Prime Rib and Rump Roast”............... Zachary Alexander.................. Muskogee Schools

 

Painting (Acrylics/Oil/Batik)

First................ “Venice”.............................................. Amanda Whitehead................. Inola Schools

Second............ “The Sentinel”...................................... Russell Locust......................... Porum Schools

Third............... “Spanish Moss Mansion”..................... Martha Cordova...................... Commerce Schools

 

Pastel

First (tie)......... “New Orleans: Bourbon Street”........... Cody Bloxham........................ Porum Schools

First (tie)......... “Wolf”................................................. Jesse Feldick........................... Porum Schools

Second ........... “Jimmy Hendrix Experience”................ Zach Bonbrake........................ Commerce Schools

 

Pencil/ Charcoal

First................ “Scared”............................................. Amanda Whitehead................. Inola Schools

Second............ “Darkness Blooms”............................. Aaron Bonham........................ Muskogee Schools

Third............... “Pablo’s Bar”...................................... Lyndsey Webb........................ Tahlequah Schools

HM................. “High Rise”.......................................... Richard Owens........................ Porum Schools

HM................. “Self- Portrait: Cathedral”.................... Amanda Whitehead................. Inola Schools

 

Photography

First................ “Fire”.................................................. Mari-Lyn Wright..................... Porum Schools

 

Watercolor

First (tie)......... “Parrots in Paradise”............................ Martha Cordova...................... Commerce Schools

First (tie)......... “Lakeside Country”............................. Alicia Maly.............................. Preston Schools

HM................. “Peaceful Bears”.................................. Sheena Winlock...................... Tahlequah Schools

HM................. “Tiffany and Karman”.......................... Tara Hamilton.......................... Tahlequah Schools

 

The first place winner in each category is considered for the Best of Show award.  Winners in the Best of Show category were:

 

First................ “Venice”.............................................. Amanda Whitehead................. Inola

Second............ “Capital Punishment?”.......................... Megan Arnold......................... Muskogee

Third............... “Zebra”............................................... Jessica Kirkland...................... Vian