Westerly Student Wins High School Art Competition

Westerly High School Senior Shu Hua Lin won the top prize in Rhode Island’s Second Congressional District 2013 High School Art Competition and will have her charcoal self-portrait displayed in the US Capitol following a ceremony in June. Lin was recognized with the second and third place winners, from Cranston and Warwick, as determined by a panel of judges from the Warwick Museum of Art. This year’s participants included students from Coventry, Cranston, North Kingstown, Providence, Scituate, West Warwick, Warwick, and Westerly.

Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), who has hosted a competition each year since he first took office in 2001, announced the awards at a reception Sunday in his District Office, where all of the artwork was on display. Submissions included paintings, drawings, computer-generated art, photography and other styles.

“The talent among Rhode Island’s youth never fails to impress, and I congratulate Shu Hua on having her self-portrait chosen from an outstanding collection of artwork,” said Langevin. “Meeting the many terrific young men and women who take part in this contest each year reaffirms my commitment to supporting the arts in our schools as a critical part of providing a quality education. I look forward to seeing Shu Hua’s work in Washington as I go to and from the House floor.”

In addition to having their work displayed for one year in the Cannon Tunnel, a pedestrian walkway leading to the US Capitol, winners from throughout the country receive a trip to Washington for June’s event, with a complimentary flight from Southwest Airlines, and a college scholarship offer. Lin’s work will replace last year’s winning acrylic painting, “Series of Self Portraits,” by Cranston East’s Giulia Davis.

This year’s runners-up will have their work displayed in Langevin’s District Office for the next year:

2nd Place: Samantha Lang- Sophomore at Cranston High School East, for acrylic painting titled “Day of Spring”
3rd Place: Sarah Reilly- Junior at Pilgrim High School, for photograph titled “Waiting”