DeLauro Announces Congressional Arts Competition Winners

New Haven Student's First-Place Art to be Displayed in U.S. Capitol

Milford, CT – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3), at an exhibition showcasing the submitted artwork, announced the winners of the 28th Congressional Art Competition. For his pencil, pen, and ink piece, "Los Amigos" Frankniell Concepcion of Wilbur Cross High School was selected as this year's first place winner from the Third Congressional District. Also announced were the second and third places winners, as well as the five honorable mentions (to view the artwork, please click on title of the piece). The winning pieces were selected by two individuals – one an art museum consultant and the other a graphic designer and interior architect.

"Frankniell demonstrated a strong creative talent with this piece, which is sophisticated in both its message and execution. I have hosted this competition every year and always find myself in awe of the talent in our midst, the young people who are ready to impress the world," said DeLauro. "Encouraging our young people to embrace their talents and value the arts is so important – it not only benefits them and their future educational success, but it also benefits our community. I thank all students for contributing and urge even more young people to participate next year."

The exhibition of the 52 pieces of art submitted for the competition will remain on display at the Westfield Connecticut Post Mall through Wednesday 20 May 2009 and includes artwork from students from area high schools, including Amity Regional High School (Orange, Woodbridge, Bethany, Ansonia High School), Cooperative Arts & Humanities (New Haven), Guilford High School, Hamden High School, North Haven High School, Seymour High School, and Wilbur Cross High School (New Haven)

Also submitting winning artwork were:

2nd Place winner, which will hang in DeLauro's Washington, D.C. office.

"Gravitational Reversal" an acrylic painting by Martina Benassi of North Haven High School 3rd Place, which will hang in DeLauro's New Haven Office in New Haven. It should be noted that this is a precedent-setting year with a tie for third place – an individual and a class assignment.

"Tucker's Innocence" an oil piece by Brianna Ouelette of Seymour High School The computer generated/photoshop pieces by four Amity High School students, which recognizes their work, as well as recognizes their teacher, Brian Flinn for an outstanding assignment. The group consists of: "Memory" by Emily Shulte, "Birds Around the Church" by Cameron Darling, "Why the Cube?" by Anita Leiva, and "Search for the Perfect Prom Dress" by Madeleine Stirling Five Honorable Mentions:

"Docked" a graphite pencil piece by Mary Lynn Massey of Guilford High School

"Dear Science, Love Change" a gouache on paper piece by Timothy McClure of Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School

"Make-Up Drawer" a digital photography piece by Caitlin Bracale of North Haven High School

"Pink Lilies" a digital photography relief by Jenni-lyn Ladutko of Amity Regional High School

"The Cousins" an acrylic paint by Elizabeth Savrann of Guilford High School Frankniell will be invited to Washington, D.C. this summer to join with the other winners from Congressional Districts across the country to participate in a gala held in their honor and will have her winning art work on display in D.C. in the Cannon House Office Building for one year. The second and third place winners will have their work displayed in DeLauro's Washington, D.C. and New Haven offices respectively.

The Arts Competition is designed to recognize the creative spirit of American high school students and is implemented by members of the House of Representatives in their Congressional districts. The art is judged by local art experts and includes paintings, drawings, prints, collage, computer generated art, photography and mixed media.