CROTON HARMON STUDENT EMMA CHESHIRE WINS 2015 CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 12, 2015

Contact: Matt Wojtkun, 202-225-6506

Croton-Harmon Student Emma Cheshire Wins 2015 Congressional Art Competition

 

Croton-on-Hudson student to travel to Washington, DC, meet with Congresswoman Lowey, and have art displayed in U.S. Capitol

 

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey (Westchester/Rockland), the Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Committee, announced that Emma Cheshire, a junior at Croton-Harmon High School in Croton-on-Hudson, NY, is the winner of the 2015 Congressional Art Competition for New York’s 17^th Congressional District. Emma’s piece, “Hand Shadow,” was judged to be first of 21 entries.

“I congratulate Emma on winning this year’s Congressional Art Competition,” said Lowey. “New York’s 17th Congressional District will be well represented in Washington, DC, by her outstanding artwork on display in the United States Capitol, where millions of visitors will be able to see it.”

“The Croton-Harmon School District and Croton Community couldn’t be more proud and excited for Emma. Her portrait is a wonderful representation of her amazing technical ability, creative spirit and dedication to her art,” said Croton-Harmon Art Teacher Jodi Burger. “We appreciate the efforts of Congresswoman Nita Lowey’s office in recognizing high school artists, and join in celebrating Emma, whose commitment to the field of visual arts has been evident throughout her time in the Croton schools. She is a gem!”

Heeyeon Kim, a Harrison resident and junior at Harrison High School, came in second place for her painting entitled “On the Edge of Opportunity;” Alice Luo, New City resident and sophomore at Clarkstown High School South, came in third for her “Brooklyn Bridge” drawing; and Barbara Letizia, a New City resident and junior at Clarkstown High School South, received an honorable mention for her piece “Building of Boroughs.”

“Our region is fortunate to be home to so many excellent young artists,” said Lowey. “I’m proud of Heeyeon, Alice, Barbara, and all of the participants in this year’s Congressional Art Competition. Their artistic talents are excellent contributions to the Lower Hudson Valley’s cultural identity.”

The Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Each spring, students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of district artists select the winning entries. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in June in Washington, DC. The winning works are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.

The awards ceremony was held at the Nanuet Public Library on Monday, April 27, 2015. The three judges who chose the winners were Daly Flanagan, Art School Director at Rockland Center for the Arts; Carol Perry, Executive Artistic Director at the Edward Hopper House, and Karen Edelmann, Visual Artist & Adjunct Professor at St. Thomas Aquinas College. 

In addition to promoting arts through the annual Congressional Art Competition, Congresswoman Lowey has been stalwart in her defense of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and served on the prestigious National Council for the Arts in recognition of her leadership.