U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor announces winner of Congressional Art Competition

Alea Jennings, a junior from Plant High School, was awarded the top prize at U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor’s annual congressional art competition with her series of portrait drawings titled, “Genetics.” Alea’s series contains 12 individual portraits, three of which were featured in the piece she submitted to the art competition of Alea and her parents. The contrast between each portrait is evident as each individual’s personality shines through, but one can easily distinguish the likeness between them that highlights their kinship. An awards ceremony for the annual competition took place Sunday at the Tampa Museum of Art. View Photos

“Students are very outspoken and active today and I appreciate how they express themselves through art as well. Arts are vital to the Tampa Bay community. In Hillsborough County alone, arts and culture generates $433.2 million in economic activity and nearly 15,000 jobs are tied to the industry, according to report issued last year by Americans for the Arts,” U.S. Rep. Castor said.

“I’ve been drawing since I was little. My grandmother from my dad’s side was my first influence with art. I started drawing and then painting. Ms. Rosende, my AP art teacher helped me a lot too. My portraits started out as an art assignment, but later she pushed me to submit my first three portraits into this competition,” Alea Jennings said about her artistic journey.

During the awards ceremony, U.S. Rep. Castor announced that she is working closely with sculptor Nilda Comas of Florida to bring Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune to the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall to represent Florida. In fact, Dr. McLeod Bethune will be the first African American to represent any of the 50 states in Statuary Hall. “Not only do artists have a significant and positive economic impact on our region, they also bring to life representations of historical significance and of our nation’s values.”

U.S. Rep. Castor’s annual Congressional Art Competition gives Hillsborough County public and private high school students the opportunity to feature works of fine arts including drawings, paintings, photographs or sculptures. This year, 57 entries were submitted into the competition from more than a dozen high schools throughout Hillsborough County. The panel of judges is made up of local artists and experts from the Tampa Museum of Art, the Arts Council of Hillsborough County and more.

Alea received a scholarship and a trip to Washington, D.C. in June for a national art competition reception. Her artwork will then be featured for one year in the U.S. Capitol alongside other winners for congressional art competitions from throughout the country. Winners and their instructors of the other categories listed below received cash prizes.

Student artwork from this year’s competition will be on display at the Tampa Museum of Art in downtown Tampa through May 2.

Award Winners

·         Congressional Award – Alea Jennings, Plant High School

·         Museum Choice Award – Jomara Maldonado, Alonso High School

·         1^st Place Overall  – Diana Gonzalez, Leto High School

·         2^nd Place Overall  – Amber Morales, Alonso High School

·         3^rd Place Overall – Adam Guidoboni, Tampa Preparatory School

·         Photography Award – Brianna Patton, Bloomingdale High School

·         Sculpture Award – Julia Parrino, Blake High School

·         Pam Heilig Art Teacher Award – Stacy Rosende, Plant High School

·         Water Media Art Teacher Award – Madeilyn Ann Mitchell

·         Water Media 1^st Place – Valerie Roberts, Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School

·         Water Media 2^nd Place – Vanessa Ibarra, Steinbrenner High School

·         Water Media 3^rd Place – Chloe Chatfiled, Blake High School

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