In the News

(Congressman Connolly addresses attendees at his 2014 Congressional Art Competition)

Five students from four Fairfax County public schools took top honors in Congressman Gerry Connolly’s sixth annual Congressional Arts Competition.  Connolly announced the winners Saturday.

Mimi Shang of James Madison High School in Vienna took first place honors with her entitled Bubble Talking.  Her artwork will be hung in the U.S. Capitol for a year alongside the winners of congressional arts competitions from district across the country.

More than 350 high school students, parents, and teachers gathered at the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center Saturday at a reception announcing the winners.  Connolly said this year’s competition was the largest ever with 184 students from high schools across Fairfax and Prince William submitting 238 works of art.

Lizzie Wright, a student at J.E.B. Stuart High School in the Falls Church area of the county, took second place for her Self-Portrait.

The third place winner was Madison Phillips of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in the Annandale area for a piece entitled Copenhagen Café.

Doi Kim, of James Madison High School in Vienna took fourth place with the work Snapshots of a City.

And the fifth place winner was Rachel Kim of South County High School in Lorton for her piece entitled, Endangered Animals.

A special Rising Star award, sponsored by the Workhouse Arts Center, was won by Nima Jeizan of George C. Marshall High School in the Falls Church area of the county.  Her work, Quit Bothering, will be displayed at the Lorton Workhouse for the next year.

“The record number of entries in this year’s competition reflects the high level of interest in the fine arts among Northern Virginia students and the dedication of our arts teachers and patrons to encouraging artistic skills in our high schools.” Connolly said.  “I congratulate all of the students who participated in the competition.  The quality of their work was impressive.  I’m also grateful to the Workhouse Arts Center, its staff, and the judges for all of their efforts to make this annual event a success and help showcase the work of our students.”

Judging was conducted by Emily Hawes of the Prince William Art Society, Signe Freidrichs of the Council for the Arts of Herndon, Holly McCullough of the Greater Reston Arts Center, John Mason of the Workhouse Arts Center, and Rachelle Etienne-Robinson of the Arts Council of Fairfax County.  

Connolly’s annual Congressional Art Competition is open to all high school students who reside in Virginia’s 11^th CD.  Public, private, and home-schooled students are invited to participate.

Mimi Shang of James Madison High School in Vienna receives her first place award in the Congressional Arts Competition from Congressman Gerry Connolly and judge Rachelle Etienne-Robinson of the Arts Council of Fairfax County.

Lizzie Wright of J.E.B. Stuart High School won second place in the Congressional Arts Competition

Madison Phillips of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology receives her third place award in the Congressional Arts Competition from Congressman Gerry Connolly and judge Holly McCullough of the Greater Reston Arts Center

Doi Kim of James Madison High School in Vienna was awarded fourth place in the Congressional Arts Competition. 

Rachel Kim of South County High School in Lorton receives her fifth place award in the Congressional Arts Contest from Congressman Gerry Connolly and judge Emily Hawes of the Prince William Arts Society.

2014 Congressional Art Competition Program