Meijer Announces MI-03 Congressional Art Competition Winners

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Peter Meijer (R-MI) today announced the Congressional Art Competition winners in Michigan’s Third District. This announcement follows the official awards ceremony, which was held on Saturday, May 7th, at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum in Grand Rapids and judged by four individuals who presented awards from their organizations:

• Emily Jarvi, Student Experience Manager, Grand Rapids Art Museum
• Dr. Mirelle Leuke, Curator, Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum
• President Tara McCrackin, Kendall College of Art & Design of Ferris State University
• Katie McClintic, Art & Communications Specialist, Kent ISD

The students who received awards from the judges’ and their organizations are:

• The Grand Rapids Art Museum Award – Jessica Ngo, East Kentwood High School, Hoa Viet Nam
• The Kent ISD Award – Isabelle Cramer, Rockford High School, Another Life
• The Kendall College of Art & Design Award – Markelle White, Northview High School, Dark Bridges. Dark Bridges will be displayed at Kendall College of Art & Design.
• The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum Award – Anastasia Lychuk, Caledonia High School, Head vs. Heart

In addition, two entries were selected by Rep. Meijer to receive the Member’s Choice Award. These two entries will be on display in Rep. Meijer’s Washington, D.C., and Grand Rapids offices for the next year.

The Member’s Choice Award Recipients are:

• Maleah Buswa, City High Middle School, Mushroom Collages
• Kiera Troost, Northview High School, Ducky Field Trip

The grand prize winner of this year’s Congressional Art Competition will have their artwork on display in the United States Capitol for one year. They will also receive two round-trip tickets to Washington, D.C., courtesy of Southwest Airlines, to attend a reception celebrating this national competition.

The grand prize winner of the Congressional Art Competition is:

• Erica Postma, Caledonia High School, Life Coach

Dr. Mirelle Leuke, Curator at the Ford Museum, made the following comments about this year’s grand prize winner:

“The bright color, an unexpected choice for a pen drawing, immediately catches the attention of the viewer. Warmth infuses the drawing, from the soft red tone to the friendly, crinkled eyes of the sitter. The artist’s sure strokes of the pen allow for impressive attention to detail.”

Original source can be found here.