Today Congressman David Scott announced the winners of his 14th Annual Congressional Art Competition during a special presentation at the Douglas County Courthouse.
Francisco Vazquez, who attends McEachern High School, was awarded first place for his work “I Love Oranges.” As the winner, Mr. Vazquez’s work will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year along with the first place artwork from other congressional districts around the U.S. He also won a $12,000 scholarship from the Savannah College of Art; a $12,000 scholarship from the Art Institute of Atlanta; a $1,500 scholarship to the college of his choice; and round-trip airfare for two from Southwest Airlines to the ribbon-cutting ceremony in Washington, D.C.
“I am so proud of the amazing talent displayed by our students this year,” said Congressman Scott. “Congratulations to our winners and all of the students who participated in the competition.” 58 high school students from Clayton, Cobb, Douglas, Fayette, South Fulton and Henry counties participated this year.
The Art Institute of Atlanta awarded a $7,500 scholarship for Second Place winner Christian Alexander of Langston Hughes H.S. and a $3,500 scholarship for Third Place winner Reanna Maiden, of McEachern High School. The Savannah College of Art and Design also awarded a full summer seminar scholarship to the second place winner and $500 summer seminar scholarship to third place.
To date, Congressman Scott has awarded over $430,000 and 50 scholarships to local student artists. Scholarship and award sponsors this year include: the Art Institute of Atlanta; Savannah College of Art and Design; AT&T; Chick-Fil-A; Georgia Pacific Foundation; Georgia Power; GreyStone Power; and Six Flags Over Georgia. These companies provided scholarships for the colleges of the top winners’ choice, including: $1,500 for first place, $1,000 for second place, $750 for third place, $500 for fourth place and $250 for fifth place.
The second place artwork will hang in Congressman Scott’s Washington Office for one year; third place will hang in the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s Youth Art Gallery for one year; and fourth and fifth places will respectively hang in Congressman Scott’s Jonesboro and Smyrna Offices.
The 2016 winners include:
· First Place: Francisco Vazquez, McEachern High School, “I Love Oranges”
· Second Place: Christian Alexander, Langston Hughes High School, “Black Classical”
· Third Place: Reanna Maiden, McEachern High School, “Women in the Mirror”
· Fourth Place: Cindy Hernandez-Pacheco, Stockbridge High School, “El Gallo de La Manana”
· Fifth Place: Makenzie Hooks, McEachern High School, “The Dancer”
