More than 200 high school students, their parents, and their teachers were at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia recently to hear Congressman Gerry E. Connolly and judges from across Virginia’s 11th Congressional District announce the winners of Connolly’s annual Congressional Art Competition. Of the 144 pieces of art submitted, which will be on view through Sunday, May 26, 2013 at WAC, artworks came from 111 high school students representing 23 different public and private high schools in Fairfax and Prince William.
Olivia Jones, who is a student at South County High School in Lorton, was awarded first place in the competition for her work entitled “Fracture.” Jones’ work will be hung in the U.S. Capitol this summer along with the works of other first place winners from congressional districts across the country.
The second place winner was Hyung Jun Suh of Emmanuel Christian School in Manassas for his piece named “Red Chair.”
Christopher Aponte of Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax took third place for his piece “My Abstract Dreams.”
Fourth place was won by Karla Pacheco of Woodbridge High School for her piece entitled “Little Wonders.”
And Jacqueline Yofi Edwards of the New School of Northern Virginia in Fairfax won fifth place for her work named “Control.”
Emily Hawes of the Prince William Art Society, Patricia Macintyre of the Council for the Arts of Herndon, Hollis Coons McCullough of the Greater Reston Arts Center, Brett John Johnson of the Workhouse Arts Center, and Rebecca Kamen of the Arts Council of Fairfax County were the competition’s judges.
“I encourage everyone to spend some time at the Workhouse Arts Center to view these works of art and enjoy the creativity of these talented high school students,” Connolly said. “The record number of entries in this year’s competition reflects the high level of interest in the fine arts among Northern Virginia students and the dedication of our arts teachers and patrons to encouraging artistic skills in our high schools.”
About: The Lorton Arts Foundation has established, in the Workhouse, the region’s most distinctive cultural arts center. When all phases of the renovation are complete, the Workhouse Arts Center will consist of 234,000 square feet of adaptively reused buildings and 60,000 square feet in new construction and the site will include 40 acres of open space. The Workhouse Arts Center’s crucial role in the cultural development of Fairfax County is clear to all who visit, finally fulfilling the prison’s original intention to provide a peaceful and positive environment for all.