Norton Uses Art Competition to Spread Students' Art Around the City (10/8/08)
Norton Uses Art Competition to Spread Students' Art Around the City
October 8, 2008
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) this morning joined Kraft Foods at its downtown headquarters to honor Duke Ellington School of the Arts student Shea Wills, who as a 10th grader in May, won second place in Norton's Annual Congressional Arts Competition. Shea's art work will remain on display for one year at Kraft Headquarters, located at 975 F Street, NW. The work of first place winner, Georgetown Day School student Anastasia Snejinevski, was unveiled in May at a reception at the Smithsonian's Ripley Center, and is on display in the U.S. Capitol for one year along with other first place winners from congressional districts around the country.
"Most important for any artist who has poured her talent and heart into her art is sharing it with an audience," Norton said. The Congresswoman, who believes that art is an important part of a child's education, said at the unveiling that she was grateful to Kraft for showcasing Shea's art at its headquarters, and for its other charitable contributions to the District of Columbia. Kraft gave Shea and her grandmother, who also attended the unveiling, a basket of many kinds of Kraft products.
Kraft's work on the Congressional Arts Competition has led to its further involvement with D.C. Public Schools (DCPS). Brian Folkerts, Kraft Vice President of Government Affairs, announced that Kraft will begin working with DCPS teachers to develop a curriculum to teach students corporate packaging and marketing art. DCPS Director of Art, Paula Sanderlin, who also attended the unveiling, will coordinate the efforts. Norton said she is also delighted that Kraft will again sponsor the competition next year.
The Congresswoman thanked Folkerts for Kraft's $5,000 contribution, which, along with others, helped her arts competition committee conduct the competition, host a reception and exhibit, and purchase prizes, which included MP-3 video players, digital cameras, art supplies, gift certificates, and tickets to cultural, entertainment, and sports events. Other prizes included a 4-5 year partial scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design for the first place winner, and a summer scholarship to the Corcoran College of Art and Design here in the District.
The annual competition is open to all D.C. students, grades 8-12. This year, 170 submissions were received from 153 students representing 18 schools, including eight public schools, four private schools, three public charter schools, and three alternative education programs. In addition to the first and second place winners, 15 students were selected for honorable mention. Their art will be displayed in Congresswoman Norton's Congressional District Office in the National Press Building for a year.