VERO BEACH — Congressman Bill Posey (R-Rockledge) hosted the 2015 Congressional Art Competition entitled “An Artistic Discovery” on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at the Vero Beach Museum of Art in Vero Beach.
The theme for this year’s artwork focused on the nation’s space program. This year’s winner, Julie Lombardi of St. Edwards School in Vero Beach, will have her artwork displayed in the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Artwork by the first and second runners up, Sheila Nguyen of Indian River Charter High School and Marcelino Allen-George of Viera High, will be displayed in Congressman Posey’s Washington and Florida offices, respectively.
“Creativity is often the key to unlocking the next big innovation,” said Congressman Posey. “I commend all of the students who competed this year and would like to thank everyone who participated in putting this great event together including: Art Expressions, Brevard Cultural Alliance, Bright House Networks, Indian River State College, Savannah College of Art & Design, Southwest Airlines, Vero Beach Art Club and the Vero Beach Museum of Art.”
“The Vero Beach Museum of Art is proud to be able to host the state-wide Congressional Arts Competition and incorporate the student exhibition into our 34th Annual Children’s Art Festival. The Festival was designed to celebrate ‘young people and the arts’ so it is befitting that we exhibit and share these wonderfully innovative student artworks with all of our residents and visitors on this day. I wish to congratulate the winners and all students who participated with their creativity and outstanding art works,” said Lucinda H. Gedeon, Ph.D., Vero Beach Museum of Art Executive Director/CEO.
“Brevard Cultural Alliance (BCA) is proud to assist Representative Posey’s office with this outstanding opportunity for our high school students to showcase their artwork. We are especially delighted this year to partner with the Vero Beach Museum of Art’s Children’s Art Festival,” said Neil Levine, BCA Executive Director.
“I was delighted to see the quantity and variety of work. The imagination and medium used to express the concept of space was inspirational. I wish to compliment all the teachers, faculty members and parents for their support for this Congressional Competition. Special thanks goes to Dawn Miller, Vero Beach Art Club and the entire Vero Beach Museum of Art team,” said Cathy Ferrell, Judging Chairman.
“I was very impressed by the quality of work and variety of very talented young artists that entered this year’s competition. It made it very difficult to select the winners,” said Alicia Parente Quinn, Judge.
“The Variation in style and concept in bringing out the depth of ideas was fantastic. It was a joy to see the creativity applied,” said Phyllis Shipley, Judge.
2015 CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION FINALISTS:
3rd PLACE: Marcelino Allen-George, Achieving New Heights; School: Viera High; Teacher: Susan West
2nd PLACE: Sheila Nguyen, American Alien; School: Indian River Charter High School; Teacher: Tony Kopp
1st PLACE: Julie Lombardi, The Launch; School: St. Edwards; Teacher: Lourdes Alvarez-Rogers
COUNTY MERIT AWARDS:
Brevard County: Noelle Laliberte, Galaxy Blue, Palm Bay Magnet High School; Teacher: Gaye Oliver
Indian River County: Elizabeth Diaz, Logos of NASA, School: St. Edwards; Teacher: Lourdes Alvarez-Rogers
SPECIAL RECOGNITION MERIT WARD: Alexandria Williams, Window to the World; School: Oslo Middle School; Teacher: Harvey Kornicks
MERIT AWARDS FOR PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS:
BREVARD COUNTY SCHOOLS
Marcos Borjas, Apollo 11; School: Cocoa High School; Teacher: Lori Smith
Courtney Clay, Amazing Mars; School: Space Coast Jr./Sr. High School; Teacher: Carol Souve
Julissa Hurtado, Star Spaces; School: Viera High School; Teacher: Susan West
Daniel Angy, Galactic Dreams; School: West Shore Jr./Sr. High School; Teacher: James Finch
Hoang Nam Nguyen, Runaway; School: Palm Bay Magnet High School; Teacher: Gaye Oliver
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SCHOOLS
Gabrielle Dwyer, Cosmic Landscape; School: Sebastian; Teacher: Sally Gawler
Branden Houck, Nebula Riders; School: Indian River Charter High School; Teacher: Tony Kopp
Kendra Mathes, Untitled; School: St. Edwards; Teacher: Lourdes Alvarez-Rogers
