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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Seniors from Rangeley Lakes Regional School Brunswick High School are the Maine winners of the 2018 Congressional Art Competion. Three Hebron Academy students and one from Gould Academy in Bethel were also recognized for their work.
Isobel Straub, of Rangeley, won the 2nd District prize for her photograph “Wait.” Galen Gaze, of Brunswick, won the 1st District prize for her illustration, “Toucanana.”
Both works of art will be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel hallway to the U.S. Capitol for the next year, U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin, R-2nd District, and U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, 1st District, said in news releases.
Poliquin called Straub and left a message for Feb. 6 to congratulate her on her work and success, according to Poliquin’s office.
“I’m very proud of all of our participants in this year’s Congressional Art Competition and I congratulate Isobel for her incredible hard work and extraordinary talent in achieving this,” Poliquin said in a news release. “Each year I’m thrilled and impressed by the talents of Mainers from high schools across our State for this competition. I’m so happy for Isobel and am delighted to display her artwork in our Nation’s Capitol for Americans from all around our country to see and enjoy.”
Pinegree said the artwork submitted this year was impressive. “Galen’s unique and creative drawing will certainly catch people’s eyes when it is on display at the Capitol,” she said. “My congratulations to her and all the top finishers of this year’s competition — everyone’s work was wonderful. My thanks to the Maine Arts Commission for their continued role in supporting this great competition.” Another of Gaze’s illustrations — “Innocence Is Bliss” — earned an honorable mention.
All of the participants — which also include Hebron students Pauline Han, Cara Hu, Jasmine Weiang Li; Gould Academy student Yuqing Mao — are invited to a reception at the Blaine House in Augusta on Monday, May 14, to recognize their artwork.
Han, a sophomore at Hebron Academy in Hebron, was first runner-up for her painting, “Pale Light.” Hebron students Hu, a sophomore, and Li, a junior, were honorable mentions. Hu for her drawing and illustration “Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder,” and Li for her photograph, “The Chief’s Wife.”
Mao, a junior at Gould Academy, was an honorable mention for the drawing and illustration, “Inheritance of Life.”
Maine winners are chosen by jurors, who are selected by the Maine Arts Commission, and are offered a scholarship to Maine College of Art. The Congressional Art Competition started in 1982 to provide an opportunity for young people to demonstrate their artistic abilities and talent.
Lizzie Dunn, a junior at Houlton Academy, was second runner-up in the 2nd District for her drawing and illustration, “Sense of Chaos.”
Others recognized in the 1st District were 1st runnerup Benjamin Folsom of Falmouth High School; 2nd runnerup Rachel Walton of Yarmouth High School; and honorable mentions Corilie Green of Freeport High School, and Chelsea Zhao of Falmouth High School.
TOP PHOTO: The photograph “Wait,” by Rangeley Lakes Regional School senior Isobel Straub, was the Maine 2nd District winner of the 2018 Congressional Art Competition. (Submitted photo)
