Congressman to Honor Art Students at Workhouse

LORTON, Va. – This year’s 11th CD Congressional Arts Competition, An Artistic Discovery sponsored by Congressman Gerry Connolly, is the largest in the district’s history with 184 high school students submitting 238 entries. The winners of the competition will be announced Saturday (May 3) at a public reception at the Workhouse Arts Center.

Students, parents, and teachers will gather at 2 pm Saturday at the Workhouse to learn whether they have won one of the five prizes awarded at Connolly’s annual Congressional Art Competition. The first prize winner will have his or her artwork displayed for a year in the U.S. Capitol.

The reception on Saturday, May 3 from 2 to 4 pm at the Workhouse Arts Center’s McGuire Woods Gallery (#W-16), 9601 Ox Road in Lorton is open to the public.

The artwork was judged by a panel of experts representing the Prince William Art Society, Council for the Arts of Herndon, Greater Reston Arts Council, The Workhouse Arts Center, and Arts Council of Fairfax County.

The 184 students participating in Connolly’s 2014 contest come from 25 different public and private high schools in Fairfax and Prince William. For the second year in a row, Woodbridge High School had the largest participation with 31 students submitting 52 pieces. South Lakes High School had the second highest level of participation with 23 pieces from 18 different artists.

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“The artistic creativity and talent of these students is very impressive,” Connolly said. “I’m proud to host this competition to showcase the quality work of our high school students and recognize the dedication of our region’s art teachers. I also appreciate the efforts of the Workhouse Art’s Center staff and our fine judges who help make this competition a success.”

Each year, Connolly’s annual Congressional Arts Competition is open to all high school students who reside in Virginia’s 11th CD. Public, private, and home-schooled students are invited to participate.