Congressional art competition underway

Sugar Loaf —U.S. Rep. John Hall (D-NY19) is inviting Hudson Valley high schools to participate in the 2008 “An Artistic Discovery,” the nationwide high school art competition and exhibition conducted by members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Selected art work will be displayed in an exhibition at the Lycian Center for Performing Arts in Sugar Loaf, from Monday, May 12 to Friday, May 30. The winning entry from the exhibition will then be transported to Washington, DC to hang on display in a corridor of the U.S. Capitol for a year alongside winning entries from around the country. “The Congressional Art Competition provides an opportunity for aspiring young artists in the Hudson Valley to gain recognition and exposure,” said Hall. “This is an excellent way that Congress can help encourage the arts.” Entries are submitted by art teachers from each school in New York’s 19th Congressional District and will be judged by a distinguished panel of community artists with teaching or gallery experience. Hall will host an awards ceremony and reception at The Lycian Center on May 12, to honor all participants. All high school students who reside in or attend school in the 19 Congressional District are encouraged to participate. The 19 Congressional District first place winner and one guest will be invited to attend “An Artistic Discovery” opening ceremonies in Washington, DC in June. Expenses will be paid for the winner and a guest. The runners-up will have their work displayed in Hall’s Congressional offices. Art work submitted must be original and can be in the form of paintings (oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.), drawings (pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, markers), collage (must be 2-dimensional), prints (lithographs, silkscreen, block prints), mixed media, computer generated art, or photography.