Chattanooga, TN (May 11, 2016) --- Since 1982 more than 650,000 high school students have participated in the annual Artistic Discovery competition, now called the United States House of Representatives Congressional Art Competition. The competition, held each Spring, provides an opportunity for members of Congress to recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. With 112 entries, this competition in the Tennessee Third District was one of the largest in the United States. The Third District includes 11-Counties: Anderson, Roane, Union, Morgan, Campbell, Scott, McMinn Monroe, Polk, Bradley and Hamilton.

Creative paintings, drawings, collages, prints, mixed media, computer-generated art, and photographs were on display at Chattanooga State for one week prior to the May 1 awards. Congressman Chuck Fleischmann served as Honorary Chairman of the award reception and ceremony hosted jointly by ArtsBuild and Chattanooga State Community College, while his field representative, Michelle Harstine, headed the competition. All House Members in the United States have the option to hold this competition – potentially 435 Congressional Districts. Congressman Fleischmann is the first Congressman in the Tennessee Third District to support the Arts through this competition in over 20 years.

Dr. Flora Tydings, President of Chattanooga State, together with Rodney Van Valkenburg, Director of Initiatives of ArtsBuild, announced the 2016 Congressional Art Competition winners that included:

FIRST PLACE – Brooke Goldyn for “Bushwick Man” (Medium - Photography), Chattanooga High School for Creative Arts, Teacher - Justin Black. Brooke received a gold medallion, a $100 gift certificate from Art Creations, and a student membership to the Hunter Museum of American Art. Her artwork will be included in a special student art exhibit in the Capitol in Washington, D.C. for one year and she has been invited to attend a special reception in the Capitol for the student artists from all 50 states. Southwest Airlines will provide her with two round-trip tickets to Washington, D.C. to attend the special reception.

SECOND PLACE – Emily Espinosa for “Untitled” (Medium – Colored Print – Crayon and other Medium), Chattanooga High School for Creative Arts, Teacher - Chad Burnette. Emily received a silver medallion, a $50 gift certificate from Art Creations and a student membership to the Hunter Museum of American Art.

THIRD PLACE – Lucas Liu for “Diabetes (Type 13),  (Medium - Photography) McCallie School, Teacher - David Hall. Lucas received a bronze medallion, a $25 gift certificate from Art Creations and a student membership to the Hunter Museum of American Art.

Second and third place winning pieces also will be displayed in Congressman Fleischmann's main District Office in Chattanooga.

HONORABLE MENTIONS each received a $20 gift certificate from Art Creations and guest pass to the Hunter Museum of American Art. Honorable Mentions winners include:

Haley Padgett for “Old Man” East Hamilton High School – Teacher Leah Hackett and Doug Boals
Rachel Raisin for “Water Bottle” Girls Preparatory School – Teacher Julie Deavers
Eric Wu for “Passage” Baylor School – Teacher Betsy Carmichael
Magen Wellmaker for “Rogue Soldiers” – Oak Ridge High School – Teacher Anna Wakefield
David Senter for “The Winter Within” – Oak Ridge High School – Teacher Anna Wakefield

Congratulations to the winners of this year’s competition. For more information about future competitions, contact Michelle.Harstine@mail.house.gov