MUSKOGEE, Okla. – U.S. Congressman Dan Boren, Co-Chair for the Congressional Artistic Discovery Competition, today honored local student artists and announced the top entries for the competition in Oklahoma’s Second Congressional District. Winners were announced today at NSU Muskogee’s Conference Center by Boren and his wife Andrea.
“I’m impressed with the participation by local schools, and with the talent of all our young artists,” Congressman Boren said. “These students have a very unique set of skills, and serve as examples of accomplishment for their fellow students.”
Artistic Discovery is the annual high school art competition that recognizes student artwork 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 fourth year Congressman Boren has hosted the Artistic Discovery competition. 197 entries were received from 74 students. The top entries in each category were selected by a panel of judges from the Muskogee Area Arts Council.
The overall Artist of Merit winners were Meagan Young of Fort Gibson High School and Sumin Kim of Muskogee High School. Young’s winning piece, titled “Offerings at Notre Dame,” will hang in the U.S. Capitol alongside other winners from across the nation. The School of Merit winner was Muskogee High School.
Boren highlighted the importance of encouraging artistic development in youth.
“Giving our young artists a forum for success is essential to our cultural development,” he said. “Quality of life is an important factor in any community, and the arts are a large part of that,” Boren said.
Local support for the contest was also drawn from community partners including: Muskogee Public Schools, the Muskogee Arts Council and Northeastern State University, which provided scholarship funds to a deserving graduating senior. A representative from Southwest Airlines was also on hand to give three round-trip airline tickets for Meagan Young and two guests to fly to Washington D.C.
A complete list of award winners by category is as follows:
First Place: “Offerings at Notre Dame,” Photography by Meagan Young of Fort Gibson H.S.
Second Place: “Bottled Impressionism,” Acrylic by Sumin Kim of Muskogee H.S.
Third Place: “Brothers,” Colored Pencil by Stacy Rutherford of Inola H.S.
Honorable Mentions:
“Let’s Go Eat Some Macaroni and Cheese,” Pastel by Daniel Valencia of Fort Gibson H.S.
“Graphite Girl #1,” Graphite by Areli Diaz of Muskogee H.S.
“Tree of Life,” Watercolor/Ink by Chelsea Crittenden of Fort Gibson H.S.
“Neck to Neck,” Acrylic by Sumin Kim of Muskogee H.S.
“Cove Guardian,” Acrylic by Stacy Rutherford of Inola H.S.
“Get A Grip,” Charcoal by Sumin Kim of Muskogee H.S.
Special Awards:
Both Meagan Young of Fort Gibson H.S. and Sumin Kim of Muskogee H.S. received certificates of recognition as “Artists of Merit”.
The Muskogee art program received a certificate of recognition as the “School of Merit” for the level of skill and technique used in their student’s work.
Samantha Shrum of Fort Gibson H.S. received a $1,000 tuition waiver from Northeastern State University as the highest placing senior in the art show.
####
