The halls of the U.S. Capitol could be looking a little brighter in the near future and all thanks to a local high school student. Macie Werner from Jackson High School was selected as the winner of the 30th Annual Eighth Congressional District Art Competition and will represent Missouri’s Eighth Congressional District in the U.S. Capitol.
Congressman Smith Announces Annual Art Competition Winner
Macie Werner’s artwork to be displayed in U.S. Capitol for one year
Cape Girardeau, MO – The halls of the U.S. Capitol could be looking a little brighter in the near future and all thanks to a local high school student. Macie Werner from Jackson High School was selected as the winner of the 30th Annual Eighth Congressional District Art Competition and will represent Missouri’s Eighth Congressional District in the U.S. Capitol.
Submissions were taken at four of the Eighth Congressional District offices in Cape Girardeau, Farmington, Rolla and West Plains. Werner’s piece was submitted along with more than 100 other submissions across Missouri’s Eighth Congressional District and one of eight finalists chosen by the Regional Art Council.
“The number of submissions we received and the overall quality of the submissions was truly outstanding and these students are incredibly talented,” said Smith. “I also had the chance to talk to a number of these students and in addition to their ability, I have to say these are really great young people and our whole community should be proud of them.”
At a reception ceremony held Friday evening the finalists, their families, friends, and members of the Regional Art Council were invited to view the artwork where Congressman Jason Smith announced the overall winner. As the Best of Show winner Werner will receive an award, and two ticket vouchers from Southwest Airlines to attend the reception for the National Congressional Art Competition in Washington, DC. Werner’s piece will then be showcased in the U.S. Capitol for one year along with the other winners from around the country.
“I think this is an incredibly opportunity for aspiring young artists and we are really honored to be able to showcase their talent and hopefully encourage all of these artists to make a career out of their skills,” said Smith. Adding, “I can’t speak enough to the caliber of these young students, they are amazing and I know beyond their artistic ability they will be ones to watch in the future.”
The finalists from the Eighth Congressional District will be on display in the Cape Girardeau office until May 28th where they can be viewed by the public. The Congressional High School Art Competition was created by the Congressional Institute in 1982 as a way to recognize and encourage artistic ability in each congressional district throughout the country.
