The 2017 High School Congressional Art Competition was held last month at the Mind & Mill Gallery in Downtown Riverside. This summer, they are sending the first place winner to Washington, D.C. to see her artwork hang on the walls of the Capitol in person! The competition is an annual event that allows high school students from across the nation to submit their artwork for an opportunity to have their piece be a part of an 11-month exhibition in the Cannon Tunnel.
Ruhnau Clarke's own Jennifer Nguyen was asked to be a panel member for this years Congressional Art Competition.
2017 Panel
Great turnout
Congressman Takano announcing the winners
As a student who used to participate in competitions of this type, Jennifer Nguyen was thrilled when she asked to join the other side of the table and take part in the judging process. The panel also included Patrick Brien (Executive Director of Riverside Arts Council), Luke Jackson (Curator of Mind & Mill Gallery), Annette Ramsey (Local Riverside Artist) and Mark Schooley (Director of Riverside Community Arts Association).
The event host, Congressman Mark Takano, held a ceremony to acknowledge the young community’s artistic talent. The panel received a total of 85 pieces from several high schools in Riverside County this year. The students explored different mediums from paintings to photography.
Thanks to the teachers, parents, artists and students who came together to make this an event we look forward to every year! Included are pictures of our First Place, Second Place, and Honorary mention winners.
First place winner
Second place winner
Honorable Mention
Takano and first place winner Sophia Goebel’s family, friends and art teacher.