Norton to Announce Congressional Art Competition Winners at Awards Ceremony with Prizes for All, Tomorrow

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will announce the winners of the annual Congressional Art Competition at an awards ceremony for District of Columbia students, parents and teachers tomorrow, Saturday, May 14, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars (Residential and Academic Facility at NoMa, 1005 3rd St. NE). Norton today placed a statement into the Congressional Record recognizing not only the large number of students that participated, but the 11-person committee whose tireless work resulted in the large turnout and success of this year’s competition.

Five prizes will be awarded on Saturday. The first place winner will have his or her artwork hang for one year in the Capitol and will receive a four-year partial scholarship to the Savannah College of Art & Design, a professional artist portfolio, and a digital camera; the second place winner will have his or her artwork hang for one year in the John A. Wilson Building and will receive a scholarship for a two-week summer immersion program at George Washington University’s Corcoran College of Arts and Design, a professional artist portfolio, and an Apple iPad; third place will have his or her artwork displayed in the Office of the State Superintendent of Education and will receive a summer scholarship to the University of the District of Columbia with use of its gallery for a one-person exhibit; the fourth place winner will receive a professional artist portfolio and a one-year contemporary membership and apprenticeship at the Kreeger Museum; the fifth place winner will receive a professional artist portfolio, a guided tour of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture with Aaron Bryant, Mellon Curator of Photography, and two tickets to the International Spy Museum. In addition, all student participants who attend the awards ceremony will receive a bag with art supplies and have the opportunity to enter a blind raffle to win free tickets for entertainment, cultural and sports events, and gift cards for local restaurants. Georgetown Cupcake and &pizza will provide food for the ceremony.

In her statement, Norton recognized her Congressional Art Competition Committee of artists and jurors, focusing on the indispensable work of each member that makes the competition possible. Norton wrote, “This year’s competition would not have been possible without the dedicated work of our D.C. Congressional Art Competition Committee, which include: Donnell Lewis, who serves as our chairman; Zoma Wallace, who made sure that all of the student art was easy to review and who also serves as one of our jurors; Yaida Ford, who was instrumental in securing donations and prizes for all of our student participants; Eric Kokuma and Jennifer Littrel, both whom were essential in helping the art competition secure entertainment; Patricia Mitchell, who worked tirelessly to secure food and drinks donations for our reception, Tiffani Gomez, who helped secure student art portfolios, and will be joining Jennifer Littrell to help with day of operations; William Brower, who assisted with the venue setup and cleanup; Thomas Atkins, my longtime art competition committee member who continues to serve as an advisor and assist wherever he is needed; and Camilo Manjarres, who has worked to facilitate committee meetings and logistics for our annual art competition, and who worked diligently to raise the profile and outreach of this annual event.”

Norton also thanked the following local organizations and businesses for their overwhelming support of this year’s competition: the Corcoran School of Arts at George Washington University; School of Arts at University of the District of Columbia; the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars; the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region; D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education; Ford Law Firm; the Kreeger Museum; International Spy Museum; Destination DC; Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ; Joe's Movement Emporium; Courtyard by Marriott Embassy Row; Hard Rock Cafe Washington; Luray Caverns Corporation; George Washington's Mount Vernon; Washington Mystics; Georgetown Cupcake; &pizza; the Newseum; Capitol Hill Hotel; Qualia Coffee; the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Big Bus Washington D.C.; Washington Nationals; Foundry Gallery; Gallery Underground; Barcelona Wine Bar; DC United; Blick Art Materials; Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture; and Cava Mezza Grill.