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Today Congressman David Scott joined nearly 200 students, parents, and teachers to celebrate the 2013 Thirteenth Congressional District Art Competition held at the Arts Clayton Gallery.  An expert panel of professional artists evaluated pieces submitted by 76 high school students from across the District and selected the top five winners.  Shrooq Afifi, a student at Fayette County High School, earned “First Place” in the competition.  Her winning piece, “The Painted Sky,” will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.  Renee Holdo of the Savannah College of Art and Design and Rob Albertson from the Art Institute of Atlanta were on hand to present Shrooq with $12,000 and $10, 000 scholarships respectively. 

“I am so proud of the talent displayed by the students here today,” said Congressman Scott.  “I value the contributions the arts have made to communities across our country and have been inspired by today’s extraordinary exhibit to continue to support federal funding for the arts and humanities.  And I am especially proud to host the Thirteenth Congressional District Art Competition each year that I have been in Congress to promote creativity, social development, and a strong sense of self-worth in our youth.”

This year’s top winners include:

• First Place – “The Painted Sky” by Shrooq Afifi, Fayette County High School
• Second Place – “The Things” by Tam Huynh, Charles Drew High School
• Third Place – “Moment of Clarity” by Daira Lopez, Pebblebrook High School
• Fourth Place – “Do Tell” by Andrew Ferris, Mt. Zion Magnet High School
• Fifth Place – “Stepping Out” by Montavious Whiters, Mundy’s Mill High School

To date, Congressman Scott has awarded over $350,000 and 40 scholarships to local student artists.  This year’s top five winners will receive the following awards:

• First Place - $10,000 or $3,000/ year scholarship, artwork will hang in the U.S. Capitol for 1 year and roundtrip airfare to attend a June opening ceremony honoring 1^st place winners from across the country;
• Second Place - $5,000 scholarship and artwork will hang in Congressman David Scott’s Washington Office for 1 year;
• Third Place  - $2,500 scholarship and artwork will hang in prominent public gallery;
• Fourth Place - $500 scholarship and artwork will hang in Congressman David Scott’s Jonesboro Office for 1 year; and
• Fifth Place – artwork will hang in Congressman David Scott’s Smyrna Office for 1 year.

Participating high schools this year include: Chapel Hill High School, Charles Drew High School, Clayton County Magnet High School, Creekside High School, Douglas County High School, Fayette County High School, Jonesboro High School, Landmark Christian Academy, Langston Hughes High School, Lithia Springs High School, Lovejoy High School, Mt. Zion High School, Mundy's Mill High School, North Clayton High School, Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School, Pebblebrook High School, Riverdale High School, Stockbridge High School, and Trinity Chapel Academy.

Special Thanks:  Congressman Scott thanked the Management, Board of Directors and Staff of the Arts Clayton Gallery for exhibiting the 2013 Thirteenth Congressional District Art Competition. The Arts Clayton Gallery, a program of Arts Clayton, Inc., is a non-profit community arts gallery dedicated to enriching lives through art. The gallery, with its prominent 4-panel street mural, exhibits both professional and emerging artists. The 12 month schedule includes 30 themed and featured exhibits, including two juried competitions and the Thirteenth Congressional District Art Competition.