Student Art Competition
Annually in the spring, since 1982, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in each congressional district and the nation. Students submit entries to their representative’s office, and artists within the district select the winning entries. This year the judging was completed by Parma Art Council members, Jan McAndrew and Sean Mabin. The winning student is recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, DC. The winning artworks from each district are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.
Congressman Max Miller’s 7th Congressional District consists of all of Medina and Wayne counties and parts of Cuyahoga (including Parma, Parma Hts, & Seven Hills) and Holmes counties, and is home to over 774,000 people. This year the submissions totaled just under 25 entries.
The winning piece this year was "Take Me Back" by Ella Wallace of Orrville. It is a colored pencil portrait depicting the artist's younger self. It represents innocence and wanting to go back to a time when life felt more simple. Ella Wallace is completing her junior year at Orrville High School. She is a member of the Earth Science Club, National Honor Society, and Yearbook. She plays first singles on the OHS Girls Tennis team. She volunteers at her church and is an active member of the Youth Fellowship program there. She has received multiple Gold Keys in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards where her artwork was recognized at the National level at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Most recently one of her pieces received Best In Show in the Wayne County Art Show.
Parma parents and art instructors of Parma high school art students mark your calendars for next year to check Congressman Max Miller’s website in March and April for information on how your child can be a part of this prestigious event.
Kathryn Mabin
Board Secretary of Parma Area Fine Arts Council, Inc, or PAFAC, and Artist/Jewlery Designer, Owner Aire of Oppulence.