Clay County High School students participated in the 2017 Congressional Youth Art Competition.
Under the direction of art teacher Connie Kerr, students Taylor Adkins (12th grade, “Ocean Front,” watercolor); Alexis Blake (11th grade, “Emmy Lou,” chalk pastels); Brianna Bostic (11th grade, “The Last Days,” watercolor); Chris Canter (10th grade, “Hand in a Box,” chalk pastels); Emily Cottrell (12th grade, “Eye Love Drawing,” colored pencils); Dakota Fugate (12th grade, “Barefeet,” charcoal); Katelyn Holcomb (12th grade, “A Touch of Class,” chalk pastels); Tori Humphrey (11th grade, “Broken Wing,” chalk pastels); Jessica Lanham (12th grade, “The Leaves Have Fallen,” pastels); Autumn McMillion (12th grade, “Sister and I,” chalk pastels); Tressie Mullins (12th grade, “High School Memory,” watercolor); Zachary Myers (12th grade, “Panda Food,” chalk pastels); Courtney Nottingham (12th grade, “Good Vibes,” chalk pastels); Kenzie Sears (10th grade, “Cries of the Innocent,” chalk pastels); Baylie Triplett (12th grade, “A Hawaiian Paradise,” chalk pastels); and Samantha Young (12th grade, “Journey Through Time,” chalk pastels), entered their work in the annual art contest.
The students’ work is on display in the Balcony Gallery of the Culture Center, State Capitol Complex in Charleston through April 8. The exhibition is sponsored by the West Virginia Office of Secretary of Education and the Arts (WVOSEA) and the West Virginia Division of Culture and History (WVDCH).
On Friday, Feb. 17, Cabinet Secretary Gayle Manchin presented first-place awards to Kaitlyn Starks, Robert C. Byrd High School, Harrison County, District 1; Leigh-Anna Johnson, Capital High School, Kanawha County, District 2; Jazmine Aliff, Sherman High School, Boone County, District 3; and Shyanna Ashcraft, Wayne High School, Wayne County, District 3.
The Congressional Art Exhibition consists of 127 pieces by 110 students, grades 9-12, from 16 West Virginia counties.
Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual-art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated. The competition is sponsored by members of the United States Congress and culminates in a year-long exhibition at the United States Capitol building.
