Tim Bishop Invites Students to Art Competition

Congressman Tim Bishop and the East End Arts Council have invited high school art students throughout the 1st Congressional District to participate in the annual Congressional Art Competition. The contest is open to all high school students in Brookhaven, Smithtown and the five East End towns, with the winning work of art to be displayed in a yearlong exhibit in the U.S. Capitol with other works from districts around the country.

Nicole Frank of East Hampton High School won last year’s competition for her painting entitled “Abundance.” Her work is on display in Washington DC through June. Fellow East Hampton High School student Mariah Dempsey won Third Place last year, and EHHS students Megan Farnham and Hana Geery won in 2010 and 2004, respectively.

Last month, Bishop’s office sent an invitation asking all high schools in the congressional district to participate in the competition. With March 29 set as the deadline, interested student artists should coordinate their submission with their art teachers as soon as possible. For more information, teachers should contact Jane Finalborgo of Congressman Bishop‘s office at 631-259-8450.

All student artwork will be displayed in an exhibit in the Lyceum Gallery in the Montaukett Learning Center at Suffolk County Community College in Riverhead on April 5 and 6, with an Awards Presentation on the 6th from 2-4 p.m. at the gallery. All participating artists, their families and teachers are invited to attend the reception, where Bishop will recognize each student and present him or her with a certificate before announcing the winners.

The East End Arts Council (EEAC) will curate the exhibit. First, Second, Third places and Honorable Mentions will be selected by Anna Jurinich, a Wading River-based painter nominated by EEAC to judge the competition. All artwork, except the winning entry which will travel to Washington, will be returned to the students after the exhibit closes.

“Each year I am thrilled at the response from the talented young artists who participate in the Congressional Art Competition,” Bishop said. “Everyone really is a winner because this competition provides a showcase for young local artists and continues Long Island’s rich artistic heritage.”

More than 650,000 high school students have participated in the Congressional Art Competition since it debuted in 1982.

Will East Hampton High School prevail again?