A local artistic high schooler has won the honor to have her work displayed in the U.S. Capitol.
Sophie Anderson, a senior at Thomas County Central High School, won first place in the 2016 Congressional Art Competition, held by U.S. Rep. Austin Scott. The winners were announced during a special ceremony and reception held March 13 at the Colquitt County Arts Center in Moultrie.
“Being honored by this award is a definite confidence boost and reassures me that an art-related career is the right choice for me,” Anderson said.
Anderson’s reward for first place is a trip to Washington, D.C., to attend the National Congressional Art Competition reception and exhibit ribbon-cutting in June. Also, her artwork will hang in the Capitol for one year, alongside more than 300 other honored artworks from other congressional districts.
“It is incredible to know that my project will be hung in the Capitol,” Anderson said. “This is an award I’ve been working toward for a long time, and it’s exciting to have my hard work recognized. I can’t wait for the opening. I’m looking forward to not only seeing my own art but getting to meet hundreds of other artists my age.”
Her winning piece is titled “Looking to the Future.”
“The artwork is of an old man’s profile surrounded by mushrooms with clocks in the background,” Anderson describes. “It is done in pen and ink washes. The theme of the drawing is old age, the passing of time, and death.”
Other honorees were for second and third place, as well as honorable mentions, all selected “by a distinguished panel of judges,” according to a press release from the congressman’s office. A People’s Choice Award also was given, chosen by Scott’s eighth district constituents who voted on his Facebook page.
“I am pleased to see such artistic talent coming from the Eighth Congressional District and applaud our students for their hard work and dedication,” Scott said in the release. “I applaud our Eighth Congressional District art teachers who instill a spirit of creativity, encourage big imaginations, foster talent, and impact their students’ lives forever.”
TCCHS art teacher Jocelyn Rivard said her students look forward to participating in this annual competition, which sets its bar very high.
“To have the visual arts celebrated at the highest national levels lends real validation to our high school programs,” she said. “And for those who earn first place, such as Sophie, going to the Capitol reception makes for a standout high school experience.”
Anderson also is eligible for a $3,000 per year scholarship to Savannah College of Art and Design, should she apply and be accepted there.
Rivard said many students “answer the calling of culture through their involvement in their art classes.”
“From the experience, it is my hope that they will leave high school and have a lifelong appreciation of creativity,” she said.
