Local art students recognized

n Smith’s artwork to hang in U.S. Capitol.

Photo submitted Samantha Smith, a junior at Siloam Springs High School, won first place in the Third Congressional District Art Competition. She was presented with her awards by Congressman Steve Womack during a ceremony on May 3.
Photo submitted Samantha Smith, a junior at Siloam Springs High School, won first place in the Third Congressional District Art Competition. She was presented with her awards by Congressman Steve Womack during a ceremony on May 3.

Samantha Smith, a junior at Siloam Springs High School, won first place in the 2016 Third District Congressional Art Competition.

Smith will get to travel to Washington D.C. in June to see her artwork, titled "Cheeks," unveiled along with winners from Congressional Districts across the country. Her artwork will be on display for the next year in the U.S. Capitol. Two other students from Siloam Springs, Brett Cox and Yesenia Telles Martinez, placed in the top five.

Congressman Steve Womack presented the top five students with awards and announced the winner at a ceremony held on May 3 at the Pryor Center in Fayetteville.

A total of 76 students from 12 schools participated in the contest. A panel of community judges, including Jeannie Hulen, University of Arkansas art department chair; Dylan Turk, curatorial assistant at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art; and local artist Kent Landrum of Fayetteville.

All three of the Siloam Springs students participated in the contest as part of Ken Francis' Advanced Placement art class. Smith's award represents a long-running winning streak for Siloam Springs High School. A Siloam Springs student has won the contest for 12 out of the past 15 years. During the three years they didn't win, they took second place, Francis said.

Smith said her watercolor, ink and marker artwork that measures just five by seven inches, was inspired by her love for nature and from the idea that out of every bad situation, something good comes. While she doesn't plan to make a career of art, Smith said she may minor in illustration when she reaches college.

Cox's pen and ink, titled "Thoughts," placed third in the contest. The senior worked for five to six months on the 22-inch by 22-inch intricate drawing.

Telles Martinez, also a senior, won fifth place for her watercolor, pen and ink, titled "Under the Sea." The artwork depicts an octopus overlaid with designs and shapes.

Womack thanked all of the high school students who participated in the 2016 competition and told Smith he was looking forward to seeing her work as he walks through the halls of the Capitol.

"I am proud to host the Congressional Art Competition and have the opportunity to encourage and showcase the incredibly impressive works of our Third District high school artists," Womack said. "Their artistic talent is astounding!"

General News on 05/18/2016