All schools located in the 19th Congressional District have the chance to participate in the 2003 Congressional Art Competition on April 24 sponsored by Congressman George Radanovich.

The first place winner’s work will be displayed for a year at the annual national exhibition in the Cannon Tunnel, a walkway leading to the United States Capitol in Washington D.C.

The first and second place artwork will be displayed in either the Fresno or Turlock District Offices. All art will be displayed in the Fresno Metropolitan Museum until May 2.

“I felt that these students art work was on the level to compete in this competition,” Sharon Scharf, head of the art department, said. “Last year three of our four entry’s were chosen as honorable mentions. There were only six honorable mentions out of 80 entry’s.”

Some of the same students who entered last year also entered again this year for a second shot at winning first place.

“Last year I was also entered in this competition,” Sara Damn, ’03, said. “I think this year my art is of a better quality. This year I did a pastel of a wolf on a snowy hill. I think this year my piece has better composition and a better chance of winning.”

Not only is Damn more proud of her piece this year but also second year competitor Jessica Boyko, ’03.

“Last year I got a honorable mention for my charcoal of a cow,” Boyko said. “It’s neat to see all of the art work there because everybody does such a good job.”

This year Boyko submitted another charcoal drawing of a tree in a flowing creek.

While Jamie Meadows, ’03, is not currently enrolled in an art class on campus, she still enjoys setting aside time to draw and enter art competitions.

“I have a landscape of a field with trees done in pencil in the show this year,” Meadows said. “I have had art in the ACSI Festival and the Fresno Fair, but never in the Radanovich competition.”

Meadows continues to draw during the school year and takes lessons during her free time.

” I have completed about five ?good’ drawings this year during art lessons outside of school,” Meadows said. “These lessons are important to me because if I did set aside time to draw, I probably would not get any pictures done. I plan to continue taking art next year in college.”

After the Congressional Art Competition, many campus art students will also compete and show their art in the ACSI Art Festival on May 3 in Merced.

For more information on art classes on campus, call Scharf at 297-9464, ext. 159.