Congresswoman Kelly announces 2018 Congressional Art Competition winners

Local high schoolers among winners

information provided by the office of Congresswoman Robin Kelly

CRETE, Ill. (April 6, 2018) – Congresswoman Robin Kelly announced the winners of the 2018 Congressional Art Competition for high school students during a reception at Crete Creative Art Gallery and School.

Taylor Ausley of Homewood-Flossmoor High School won first place for her painting, “Chief’s Halo.” Taylor’s artwork will be displayed for one year in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol. She was also awarded two round-trip tickets to Washington D.C. to attend a reception honoring the winning artists from all 50 states.

“We had a record 37 students and nine schools from Chicago Heights to Bradley-Bourbonnais submitting artwork this year,” Congresswoman Kelly said. “The pieces were breathtaking and showed the depth of artistic talent that our students possess. My only regret is that we could not honor more students for their creativity.”

The second runner-up was Emma Novak of Homewood-Flossmoor High School for her drawing titled “Dragonfly.” Emma also placed in the top three in the 2015 and 2017 Congressional Art Competitions.

Third runner-up was Jaelin Gordon of Thornridge High School for his painting, “Colors of a Sunset.”

Assisting at the reception were members of the S.W.A.G.G Team (Students With A Goal Toward Greatness) from Hazel Crest.

The high school art competition was established by the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982 to acknowledge and support the artistic talent of America’s young adults.