WHS art students shine in Congressional contest

WHS students won the highest three prizes at the recent 16th District Congressional Art Competition. Pictured, from left, are: WHS principal Tim Freeman, art teacher Kelly Atkinson, Congressman Jim Renacci, Ricky Kolar, Madeline Lee, Paige Dawson, art teacher Debra Gantz, art teacher Will Wilson and art teacher Jerry Everhard.

Westlake High School art students took the top three prizes in the 16th District Congressional Art Competition.

Sophomore Madeline Lee won best of show for her painting “Rainbow Street,” sophomore Paige Dawson won first runner-up for her painting of the West Side Market, and senior Ricky Kolar won second runner-up for his seven-layer stencil of East 14th Street in Cleveland.

Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent. Students submit entries to their representative’s office and panels of district artists select the winning entries.

Winners were recognized in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. The winning works are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.

This is the fifth time in seven years WHS artists have earned awards in the Congressional Art Competition.