Bonamici Announces District Winner of 2014 Congressional Art Competition—Stresses Importance of Maintaining Arts Education in Schools
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici announced that a panel of professional artists has selected Supriya Kapur, a student at Beaverton’s Sunset High School, as the winner of the 2014 Congressional Art Competition for Oregon’s 1st District.
“This year’s submissions were excellent and I thank all the talented students who submitted their work,” Bonamici said. “My office received more than 55 submissions, all demonstrating creativity and talent. The judges had a lot of great choices this year when they selected a winner.”
Supriya’s artwork is a charcoal drawing titled, “Cell Tower;” a provoking piece portraying a silhouetted cell tower among trees. Students receiving honorable mentions for their artwork include: Kahlia Knox for her painting, “Natalia”; Sol Summer for “Portrait of a Woman in a Gray Suit with a Red and White Scarf”; and Monica Kelly for “Windows to the Soul.”
“I want to congratulate all the student artists who submitted work for this year’s Congressional Art Competition,” Bonamici continued. “And thank you to all of the participating schools for their continued dedication to arts education.”
“In tight economic times, art and music programs are often the first to experience cuts,” Bonamici said. “We need to continue to invest in opportunities to encourage creativity and inspire students. The arts are an integral component of a well-rounded education system. We need to educate the next generation of creative and innovative thinkers, and I am committed to supporting arts education in our schools to excite, encourage, and advance all students.”
Congress started the Congressional Art Competition in 1982. The competition involves thousands of high school students from across the nation. Every year, one piece of artwork from each participating congressional district is displayed for the year in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. The winners are invited to visit Washington, D.C. in the spring to see their art on display.