Congresswoman DeLauro Honors Amity, District, Students

12 Amity students and 20 other area students were named Congressional Art Competition Winners for the 3rd Congressional District. The event, hosted by Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro, is in its 30th year. The reception is designed to honor high school artists.

To be entered into the competition, your teacher must first suggest a piece for you to submit. After the submission is sent to the Congresswoman’s office, a group of professional artists or photographers review the pieces and judge them. 

The first place winner is Emily Messinger a student at Co-Operative Arts and Humanities High School School in New Haven. Her winning black and white charcoal drawing titled “Tegan,” which displays a three-dimensional aspect so skillfully rendered the viewer is almost unaware they are looking at a flat surface.

The second place winner is Jordan Syrop from Orange who also attends Co-Operative Arts and Humanities High School. Syrop piece is called ‘Out of It’ which is a mixed media piece. The judges said that his piece is “very creative has an architectural feel.”

Third place was given to two Amity students. Jessica Stoyer and Hannah Jamron for their scanned digital image ‘Reflective Rose.’ The judges said that they “used technology successfully. Delegate tone to the piece.”

Isabelle Sanchez, Woodbridge, exhibited ‘Eulogy,’ which is ink printed on newspaper. Sanchez has been recognized in the Portfolio Award and Gold Key Portfolio in the Scholastic Art Competition for Connecticut, the highest award after 1st place in that competition. Sanchez said that she enjoyed the afternoon. The judge said that her piece is “more than meets the eye. Good use of materials.”  

9 other Amity students were recognized with artwork on display as well. Hannah Block, Sarah Defeo, Jane Depgan, Cara Dunhill, Netanya Lerner, Olivia Micci-Smith, Matthew Schatz, and Katelyn Wong were all recognized for either photography or digital photography. Gabbie Wynschenk was recognized for an acyrlic painting. 

Wynschenk’s painting is of her with a fossilized starfish on her face, which is based off of a portrait of the painter with a scorpion on her face. This is her first state wide competition; Wynshchenk has taken part in smaller competitions before, she says she is ‘super excited’ to take part in the Congressional Art Gallery. Her Art Teacher, Brian Flinn, encouraged  her to enter. 

Katelyn Wong “It’s a multi exposure of downtown Milford. She took multiple photos of downtown Milford and pieced them together on Photoshop. Wong says the application wasn’t intensive, but she had to meet certain guidelines. Her art teacher, Ina Malloy, suggested she enter her piece. 

In an exclusive interview with Orange Patch, Congresswoman DeLauro said, “I’m always excited when I see the talent, the artistry of the young men and women in the 3rd Congressional District. They are so gifted and share their art with all of us.” She continued to say that, “I’m so proud to sponsor the Congressional Art Competition and to be able to recognize through a certificate, honorable mention, or first, second, or third prize. It’s just one of the best things that we do in the Congress because it recognizes artistry, talent, it recognizes our humanity.” DeLauro has sponsored the competition since she entered office 21 years ago. 

Messinger’s first place entry will be on display at the US Capital for the next year in a corridor that connects a handful of government buildings, including the Capital. She, along with the other first place winners will be honored at a reception in Washington on July 22nd. Syrop’s second place entry will hang in DeLauro’s Washington D.C. office for the next year. Amity’s Jamron and Stoyer’s third place piece will hang in DeLauro’s New Haven office for the next year. 

If you are interested in viewing all of these pieces, they will be on display at the Westfield Connecticut Post Mall for the next week.