Schakowsky Announces Winners of 2021 Congressional Artistic Discovery Competition

EVANSTON - Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip, announced the winners of the Illinois 9th Congressional District's 2021 "An Artistic Discovery" Congressional Art Competition, naming students who were chosen to receive the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes. This annual competition, sponsored by the Congressional Institute, invites young artists from around the nation to compose and submit visual art to their member of Congress. The winning piece from each District is then hung in the Cannon Tunnel, which lawmakers, staff, and tourists alike pass each day as they move between the House Office Buildings and the U.S. Capitol.

This year, Congresswoman Schakowsky's office received submissions from thirty-five students representing twenty local high schools. Each young artist who participated had their work displayed on Congresswoman Schakowsky's website, and was reviewed by a group of judges made up of educators, artists, and community leaders.

"I want to thank all the teachers and parents who helped get the word out about this year's Congressional Art Competition, as we navigated the pandemic and conducted an online version. I want to congratulate each of the students who took the time to create and submit artwork for this year's competition. I always look forward to seeing what local students will create for this annual event, and the submissions this year were very impressive," said Congresswoman Schakowsky. "It gives me great pride to see all of this year's submissions, as each piece demonstrated immense talent, creativity, and dedicated work. I would especially like to recognize this year's top three artists, Jerry Mendheim, Emma Kalchik, and Evan Burns for their distinguished work."

The following students are hereby recognized as winners of the 2021 Congressional Art Competition for the 9th Congressional District of Illinois:

1st Place

Jerry Mendheim, Niles West High School
Artwork Title: "Warm Waters"
Medium: Digital

2nd Place

Emma Kalchik, Niles West High School
Artwork Title: "Stand Up"
Medium: Photography

3rd Place

Evan Burns, Evanston Township High School
Artwork Title: "The Bend"
Medium: Photography

The following schools participated in the competition this year:

Beacon Academy

Evanston Township High School

Glenbrook South High School

Logos Christian Academy

Loyola Academy

Maine East High School

Mather High School

New Trier

Niles North

Niles West

North Shore Country Day School

Saint Viator High School

Senn High School

Wheeling High School

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