On Saturday afternoon, May 4, Gateway Community College hosted a reception featuring the works of high school students who entered their art in the 32nd annual Congressional Art Competition. During the event, U.S. Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro announced the winners of this year’s competition, “An Artistic Discovery,” to more than 75 family members, art teachers and community members in attendance.

The exhibit, which will remain displayed on the second floor Fairway through May 14, features 37 works created by students who attend eight high schools in the Third Congressional District. The media include photography, acrylics, pencils, oils, pastels, silkscreen, collage, charcoal, tempera, inkjet printer and etching.

The untitled tempera work of the first-place winner, Rachel Knight of the Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School, will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol, along with those of other young artists from across the nation, for the next year. She and a guest will be flown to Washington, D.C., for the unveiling of this year’s winning art. The oil pastel “Landscape” of the second-place winner, Coleman Nelson of Amity Regional High School, will hang in Rep. DeLauro’s Washington, D.C. office in the Rayburn Building. Finally, the charcoal drawing, “White/Black = Jimi Hendrix” created by third-place winner Emilio Cucciniello of Co-Op High School, will be displayed in Rep. DeLauro’s New Haven office.

According to DeLauro, members of the U.S. House of Representatives created the competition in 1982 to promote the nation’s cultural heritage. “I take pride in recognizing and encouraging the creative spirit of our young Americans by showcasing their talents,” DeLauro said. “I also commend the students, parents and teaching professionals for their time, dedication and participation.”