Smith takes top prize in First Congressional District Art contest

MANCHSTER » Rep. John B. Larson, CT-1, recently announced the winner of the First Congressional District Art Competition at the Dehn Gallery at MCC on Main. The competition was open to high school students in Connecticut’s First District. This was the largest showing to date, with 9 schools participating. Kristin Smith of Northwestern Regional High School District No. 7 in Winsted took home the top prize.

As this year’s winner, Smith’s work will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year, and she will receive a trip down to Washington for the installation as well as a $3,000 per year scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design or Tennessee Wesleyan College.

“Congratulations to Kristin on winning this year’s Congressional Art Competition, and congratulations to everyone who participated, by sharing your talents, you are all brightening your communities,” said Larson. “This competition is something that I look forward to every year. The arts are vitally important to our society, I encourage you all to continue to follow your passion.”

The judges also awarded 7 honorable mentions to Lillian Lee, Wethersfield High School; Julian Encarnacion, Wethersfield High School; Yihan Wang,The Gilbert School; Manon Michel – CT International Baccalaureate Academy; Annalicia Fischer, The Gilbert School; Jayna Mikolaitis – Glastonbury High School; and Charlotte Heuschkel, CT International Baccalaureate Academy.

The Congressional Art Competition was created in 1982 to allow members of Congress the opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talents of the youth in their communities. More than 650,000 students nationwide have participated in the competition.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO A painting by Kristin Smith, a student at Northwest Region 7 High School in Winsted,