May 08, 2015

Congresswoman Lee Announces Winner of Congressional Arts Competition

Oakland, CA – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee announced that Saint Joseph Notre Dame (SJND) High School Senior, Taylor Griffith, was selected as the winner of the annual Congressional Arts Competition, An Artistic Discovery, to represent the 13th Congressional District.

The Congressional Arts Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of student artists in their district. This year, more than 80 East Bay students submitted artwork for the competition.

“This competition is extremely important because it highlights the talents of so many young artists throughout the East Bay,” said Congresswoman Lee. “I congratulate Taylor Griffith on being this year’s winner and I send my warmest regards to all of the students who participated.”

Congresswoman Lee visited St. Joseph Notre Dame in Alameda to make the surprise announcement in Griffith’s Art Class. His photo “Oakland in My Dreams” will be displayed in the heavily-traveled corridor that connects the Cannon House Office Building with the U.S. Capitol for a year.  He will also receive two complimentary tickets to attend the annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

“We're excited that Taylor is being recognized for his talents as a photographer and artist. SJND has always participated in the Congressional art contest each year and we're happy to welcome Congresswoman Lee to our campus in Alameda,” said Principal Simon Chiu. “Taylor's work is a product of his God-given talents, the support of his art teachers here at SJND and the wonderful support of his family. He's a wonderful representative of the ideals of the Congressional art contest.”

Congresswoman Lee also posted this year’s entries on Facebook to give the public a chance to vote for their favorite piece of art work.  The submission with the most “likes” will be hung in the Congresswoman’s district office for one year.

Ivy Nape, a senior at Berkeley Independent Study High School, was selected as the “Facebook Fan Favorite” with more than 450 likes for her acrylic painting entitled “Head in the Clouds".

To view the winning submissions, click the links below:

Taylor Griffith, “Oakland in My Dreams” -  http://on.fb.me/1F8Hvkj

Ivy Nape, “Head in the Clouds” - http://on.fb.me/1ElDVNc

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Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Whip’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity.