FAYETTEVILLE, Ark — Congressman Steve Womack announced that Autumn Blaylock, a senior at Fayetteville High School, is the winner of the 2020 Congressional Art Competition for the Third District.
Autumn’s drawing, entitled “Pandemic Prom,” will now be sent to Washington, D.C. to hang in the U.S. Capitol for one year.
Congressman Womack said, “A big congratulations to Autumn on winning the 2020 Congressional Art Competition. Although this school year has been a bit different, our students didn’t let that stop them from submitting a broad range of art. I am always impressed to see the talent, creativity, and artistic promise of our high schoolers. I thank all of our participants and look forward to having another drawing from the Third District hang in the U.S. Capitol next to other pieces from across the nation.”
This year’s competition featured 17 pieces of art from several different high schools throughout Arkansas’s Third Congressional District. Entries were reviewed by a panel of local judges, including Larissa Randall (Curatorial Assistant, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art), Barbara Putnam (Executive Director, Community Creative Center), and Cynthia Coughlin (Arts Patron).
Judges “Top 5” Finalists:
- 1st Place: Autumn Blaylock, Fayetteville High School, “Pandemic Prom”
- 2nd Place: Anthony Tello, Southside High School, “Overcoming Adversity”
- 3rd Place: Anthony Tello, Southside High School, “Community Heroes”
- 4th Place: Cassie Jankowski, Homeschool, “What Love Looks Like?”
- 5th Place: Nicole Golden, Flippin High School, “Keep Fighting”
Autumn Blaylock - winning painting 'Pandemic Prom'
Submissions were also considered for the Patriot Award, which honors a piece that celebrates and artfully represents American ideals. This recognition was presented to Hannah Williams, a senior at Harrison High School, for her “World War II Veteran” oil painting, which showcases the portrait of a World War II veteran with an abstract American flag in the background.
Additionally, residents can help decide who receives the People’s Choice Award by voting for their favorite entry here. Online voting for the public will be open until May 7th.
Voting for the People’s Choice Award will be open until May 7th. Third District residents can vote for their favorite art submission by visiting: https://womack.house.gov/forms/artcompetition/. The results will be announced via social media on May 8th.
The Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide event that is held each year to recognize and encourage artistic talent across the United States and in each congressional district. Since the competition began in 1982, hundreds of thousands of high school students have participated.
