Congratulations to Riverside High School student Rebecca Ashley for winning “Best in Show” in the 10th Congressional District Art competition sponsored by U.S. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) and hosted in partnership with the University.
Ashley’s painting, along with 137 other submissions from high school students throughout the 10th Congressional District (Loudoun, Clarke, and Fredrick Counties, as well as parts of Fairfax and Prince William Counties and the cities of Manassas, Manassas Park and Winchester), was displayed at GW’s Virginia Science & Technology Campus from April 17 through May 12, 2017. GW has hosted the annual exhibition since 2010.
The exhibit is part of a nation-wide high school arts competition sponsored annually by Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The “Best of Show” piece will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol, along with winners from other Congressional Districts across the country.
Judges also awarded 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and honorable mention ribbons in each of the seven categories—paintings, drawings, collages, prints, mixed media, computer-generated art and photography.
Rep. Comstock announced the “Best in Show” winner to a large crowd of student artists and family members gathered at a reception on April 24. “Each year I am impressed by the breadth of artistic talent presented by students in the 10th District. I appreciate the hard work of our supportive teachers and parents for fostering a creative passion in their students and children and helped make this year’s Congressional Art Competition such a success. I also thank our judges and students for all of their hard work this year,” said Comstock.
The ceremony, emceed by GW’s David Baker, Director of Virginia Government Relations, also included remarks from Anne Marie Barnes, an inspirational speaker. Barnes is the Clarice & Robert H. Smith Educator at the National Sporting Library & Museum in Middleburg. She studied History and Studio Art at James Madison University and has worked in the museum field for many years. Anne Marie uses her passion for local history and art to build bridges across Northern Virginia’s cultural communities.
All students were presented with certificates by Rep. Comstock.