Today, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) announced that Eli Clayton, a senior at Bondurant-Farrar High School in Polk County, is the winner of the 2021 Congressional Art Competition for Iowa’s Third Congressional District. Eli’s acrylic and oil painting titled “Lost in Translation” will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.
Emily Suntken of Bondurant-Farrar High School won second place overall with her graphite drawing “Flaunt Your Beauty,” and Sarah Stile of Heartland Christian School in Council Bluffs won third place overall with her glass and canvas piece “Broken Flowers.”
“Congratulations to Eli – this is a powerful piece and I’m looking forward to showcasing it in the U.S. Capitol this year,” said Rep. Axne. “Every work submitted this spring by young Iowa artists, including top three finishers Emily Suntken and Sarah Stile, was praiseworthy. I am impressed with their creativity and talent, and am grateful to all of the students for showcasing their work.”
A panel of seven artists and art professionals from across Iowa’s Third Congressional District assisted in choosing the winner.
The panelists were:
- Siobhan Spain, Director of MainFrame Studios – Des Moines
- State Representative Ray Sorenson, Muralist – Fontanelle
- Trish Bergren, Director of the Clarinda Carnegie Art Museum – Clarinda
- Brian Zachary, Member of the Creston Arts Council – Creston
- ASPHATE, Artist with the Scarce Elementz Crew – Des Moines
- Indianola City Councilmember Bob Kling, Painter, Potter, Photographer, and Writer - Indianola
- Jorge Coloardo, Owner of Colorado Art Studio – Malvern
First Place: “Lost in Translation,” Eli Clayton, Bondurant-Farrar High School
Second Place: “Flaunt Your Beauty,” Emily Suntken, Bondurant-Farrar High School
Third Place: “Broken Flowers,” Sarah Stile, Heartland Christian School
Original source can be found here.
