Bend, Ore. – U.S. Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River) today announced that Sage Hassell, a senior at Mountain View High School, has been selected as the overall winner for Oregon’s Second Congressional District in the 2016 Congressional Art Competition. In a record year for entries, Sage’s painting, entitled Flaunt It, was selected by a panel of local judges, including Central Oregon Community College art professor Bill Hoppe. Sage will travel to Washington, D.C. to see her artwork displayed in the national student art exhibit in the U.S. Capitol and attend a reception in her honor on June 23, 2016.
“I want to congratulate Sage on this impressive achievement in such a competitive year,” said Walden. “Her painting will be showcased in the U.S. Capitol among the best student artwork in the nation, where it will be seen by members of Congress and visitors from around the world. Flaunt It is a testament to Sage’s artistic talent, and she should be very proud of this accomplishment.”
Walden also announced winners from 9 counties in Oregon’s Second District:
· Josephine County Winner: Peace of Mind by Ella Sachs, senior at Grants Pass High School
· Jackson County Winner: Alpha by Andrea Orozco, sophomore at Phoenix High School
· Klamath County Winner: Stuck in Time by Colt Bruner, junior at Henley High School
· Hood River County Winner: Ripples in the Water by Elizabeth Munoz, senior at Hood River Valley High School
· Wasco County Winner: Family Time by Roger Marines, sophomore at South Wasco High School
· Deschutes County Winner: Surprise City by Braya Robbins, junior at Mountain View High School
· Malheur County Winner: Wolf and the Springtime Thaw by Shayla Griffin, freshman at Adrian High School
· Harney County Winner: Old Man by Halle Robertson, junior at Crane Union High School
· Baker County Winner: Phoebe by Shelby Swindlehurst, senior at Burnt River High School
County winners will have their art displayed in one of Walden’s district offices in Bend, Medford, La Grande, and Hood River and posted on his website at https://walden.house.gov/art-competition. This summer, Walden will host receptions at his district offices to honor county winners. Exact time and dates to be announced.
“The Congressional Art Competition is a tremendous opportunity for young Oregonians interested in art, and I want to thank all of the students, teachers, and families who made this year’s competition a success,” Walden said. “I would also like to thank our fourteen judges from around Oregon’s Second District for their expertise in judging over one hundred pieces of our talented students’ work.”
Judges for this year’s competition included: Rogue Gallery & Art Center board member Nancy Jo Mullen, and their executive director Kim Hearon; Central Oregon Community College art professor Bill Hoppe; former Jackson County Commissioner and high school art teacher Sue Kupillas; associate professor of art at Eastern Oregon University Michael Sell; Southern Oregon University professor of art Peg Sjogren; Southern Oregon University professor of painting and drawing Cody Bustamante; fine arts professor at Treasure Valley Community College Robin Jackson; Treasure Valley Community College photography instructor Ted Fink; Treasure Valley Community College visual arts professor Tammy Kinney; Betty Faves Memorial Art Gallery director Lori Sams; artist and owner of Phinney Gallery of Fine Art Malcolm Phinney; Mark Nilsson, artist and owner of Mark Nilsson Artist Studio; and Cathy Stever, owner and artist at Cathy Stever Gallery.”
The Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide program for students to showcase their artistic abilities and to highlight the importance of art education. Since its start in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students from around the country have participated. Photos of the winners and more information on the competition can be found via Walden’s website at https://walden.house.gov/art-competition.
