Richmond Leader

Washington, D.C. – On May 17, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), announced the winners of the 2023 Congressional Art Competition. This year's first-place winner is Joshua Crenshaw, a senior from Varina High School in Henrico. His piece, “Just Sitting,” was created using charcoal on paper and will hang in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

“It was a pleasure to host this competition for students in Virginia’s Fourth, and I was impressed by the number of incredible submissions we received. Congratulations to Joshua on winning the 2023 Congressional Art Competition,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “Joshua demonstrated incredible artistic ability with his piece, and I was excited to call and congratulate him on a job well done. I understand he is considering a career in animation, and I have no doubt he will excel in his future endeavors.”

Congresswoman McClellan also announced Alana Moore, a freshman from Brunswick High School, took second place with her painting, “Warfield,” and Mareit Nester, a senior from Clover Hill High School, took third place with her photograph “Flourishing in Darkness.”

“I commend all of the participants in this year’s competition for their creativity and thought-provoking work,” continued Congresswoman McClellan. “I also thank our panel of judges, comprised of local artists, for volunteering their time to help select this year’s winners.”

Congresswoman McClellan also announced rankings among the following categories:

Certificate of Excellence

• Life’s a Circus | Finnley Brawand,12th Grader at Thomas Dale High School

Painting

• 1st place: Warfield | Alana Moore, 9th Grader at Brunswick High School
• 2nd Place: A Mother’s Love | Jealle Aidoo. 9th Grader at Brunswick High School
• 3rd Place: The Breath that Blooms | Kristina V. Henry, 11th Grader at Colonial Heights High School
• Honorable Mention: Untitled | Savanah Hobson, 11th Grader at Brunswick High School

Drawing:

• 1st Place: Just Sitting | Joshua Crenshaw, 12th Grader at Varina High School
• 2nd Pace: Hazy Loops | Josenae Jones, 11th Grader at Hermitage High School
• 3rd Place: Untitled | Sydney Pleasant, 10th Grader at Varina High School
• Honorable Mention: Paradise Lost | Lee Berr, 12th Grader at Prince George High School
• Honorable Mention: Haley | Haley Gantz, 12th Grader at Varina High School

Photography:

• 1st Place: Flourishing in Darkness | Mariet Nester, 12th Grader at Clover Hill High School
• 2nd Pace: Blurred | Serenity Martin, 12th Grader at Clover Hill High School
• 3rd Place: Into the Sky | Christopher Amitrano, 12th Grader at Clover Hill High School
• Honorable Mention: Out of the Shadows | Alyssa Thompson, 11th Grader at Clover Hill High School

You can view all of the winning pieces and honorable mentions here.

All submissions were judged by an independent panel of local artists and art professionals, including S. Ross Browne, Taekia Glass, Bob Riggs, and Allie Sarinana.

Original source can be found here