Congressman Pat Ryan recently celebrated the artistic achievements of NY-18’s winner of the 2024 Congressional Art Competition at an awards ceremony held in the U.S. Capitol. The honor went to Tabitha Koren, a rising senior at Spackenkill High School in Poughkeepsie, for her mixed media artwork titled “Monkey the Man.” This piece, a combination of graphite and acrylic, will be displayed in the Capitol for the next year.
Koren’s artwork was inspired by her childhood memories of her father pushing her in a stroller across the Vassar College campus. Congressman Ryan expressed his pride in Koren’s achievement, highlighting the rich artistic talent and history of the Hudson Valley. He noted that visitors from around the world would have the opportunity to see Koren’s work, which represents the thriving arts scene in the region. Ryan also mentioned his personal connection to the artwork, as it depicts a part of the Hudson Valley he passes daily on his way to vote.
The Congressional Art Competition, held annually each spring, has seen participation from over 650,000 high school students since its inception in 1982. Each congressional district selects one winning artwork to be displayed in the Capitol for a year. The winning artists are invited to an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., to celebrate their achievements.
In addition to honoring Koren, Congressman Ryan also held a reception to recognize other high school students from NY-18 who submitted their artwork for the 2023 competition. Atticus Jackson from Cornwall Central High School was chosen as the winner by a panel of judges, while Ella Brassard from New Paltz High School won the Facebook Fan Contest, selected by the constituents of NY-18. Ryan praised the creativity and skill of all the participants, emphasizing the importance of celebrating their hard work and individuality.
The 2024 Congressional Art Competition is now accepting submissions from high school students in the NY-18 Congressional District. Students are encouraged to submit their original artwork to Ryan’s district office in Newburgh by April 29, 2024. The winning artist’s work will be displayed in the Capitol for one year, and the artist, along with a guest, will be invited to the winner’s celebration in Washington, D.C., on June 27. Second and third place awardees will have their artwork displayed in Congressman Ryan’s district office for a year.
Eligible artwork for the competition includes paintings, drawings, collages, prints, mixed media, computer-generated art, and photography. All entries must be original in concept, design, and execution, and must not violate any U.S. copyright laws. The first-place winning artwork must be framed and meet specific size and weight requirements for display in the Capitol.
The Congressional Art Competition is sponsored by the Congressional Institute and has been a platform for young artists to showcase their talents for over four decades. For more information, students and their families can contact Congressman Ryan’s office or visit the competition’s website.
Source: Various sources
