WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Garret Graves allowed a panel of experts to choose the detailed drawing of the York Minster Cathedral to hang in the tunnel that representatives take from their offices to the House chamber in the U.S. Capitol.
Graves' selection as well as those of the other five House members were created by Louisiana high schoolers. They were the winners of the annual Congressional Art Competition to fill the tunnel with art from congressional members' home districts. Over the course of a few weeks each year, all 435 House members — each in their own way — selects a winner from their district for the contest, which draws submissions from high school students across the country.
“I have approximately no artistic skills. My stick figures are bad,” said Graves, a Republican whose 6th District, for now, represents the Baton Rouge and Bayou communities. Graves has a panel of art teachers and experts from the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge go through all the annual submissions and allows them to choose the winner for the national competition.
Graves also puts many of the pieces from the competition on Facebook, where folks can vote on their favorite. A drawing by Lucy Murphy, of Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma, won the nod from both the expert panelists and the Facebook voters.
Usually the winning student’s artwork is Louisiana-themed. The winner in the 1st Congressional District, covering mostly suburban New Orleans, is a colorful scene from a Mardi Gras parade. In the 4th Congressional District, which covers west and northwest portions of the state, a still life featuring crabs, shrimp, okra, sausage and other gumbo ingredients, won the annual competition.
This year’s 6th District honors went to Lucy Murphy’s intricate drawing of the Anglican cathedral in York, England. York Minster has been worked on as a place of worship since 627 A.D. Over the centuries different denominations have added Norman and Gothic architecture plus Europe’s most expansive displays of medieval stained glass windows.
“If you look up close,” Graves said of Murphy’s drawing, “the detail, the detail is like holy cow. She has been over there twice now and was just amazed at the architecture and the scale and everything else.”
Tiffany Elle Foxworth, who is entering the 10th grade at Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, drew “My Faux Feline,” which captures, she says, “the true essence of a Black woman, in my eyes.” Using dark colors with white accents to bring out boldness, poise and beauty while adding depth and intensity. “She exudes grace, strength and resilience,” Foxworth said.
“Each year, I am astonished by the skill of young people and enjoy seeing their creativity,” said Democratic Rep. Troy Carter, whose 2nd Congressional District stretches from New Orleans to Baton Rouge. “‘My Faux Feline’ expresses the experience of being a Black woman.”
Hannah Bradley, of Mandeville High School, won the competition in suburban New Orleans’ 1st Congressional District represented by Scalise. Her piece is a colorful float at Mardi Gras entitled “Throw Me Something, Mister.”
“Hannah’s artwork colorfully captures the spirit of Mardi Gras that unites us all and serves as a universal symbol of Louisiana,” said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson. “I am proud that such a rich symbol of our culture is on display in our nation’s Capitol for visitors from all across America to see.”
Laura Arnold, who recently graduated from Quitman High School, won the competition in Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District for “Chicken Bits,” a hen made from blue, orange and brown collage pieces. The 5th District covers northeast and central Louisiana as well as much of the Florida parishes.
“Laura’s piece beautifully captures the unique array of agriculture we are surrounded by in the 5th District, and showcases a level of artistic skill and creativity that I can only wish to have,” Letlow said. “I enjoy walking by Lauren’s piece each time I am headed to the House floor for votes, and I will continue to show it off to each tour group that comes up for a visit.”
The winner in Acadiana’s 3rd Congressional District was charcoal drawing of Cole Ritter’s dog, Rocket, lying on his parents’ bed. Ritter attends Southside High School in Youngsville.
“Cole’s artwork is a beautiful piece showcasing the love of man’s best friend,” Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette, said in a statement. “South Louisiana is filled with talented young artists.”
The House has held the annual Congressional Art Competition since 1982 to encourage the art of high school students across the nation. The students' artwork will hang in the Cannon Tunnel for the next 11 months.
“I applaud the teachers and administrators working to cultivate continued growth of the arts by encouraging the next generation of creative minds,” U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nevada and co-chair of the competition, said in a statement.
Julia Braud won the competition in Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District for an acrylic still life called “Louisiana’s Finest Ingredients.”