WASHINGTON, D.C.– A Chapman student has won the 2021 Congressional Art Competition for the Big First, Kansas First District Congressman Tracey Mann announced today.
"It is my great privilege to announce that the winners of this year’s Congressional Art Competition for the First District of Kansas," said Mann. "There are a lot of tremendous artists in the First District, but one stood out to the judges. Thank you to all the students who participated, and congratulations to the top three contenders."
First Place winner: Mena Mann, Chapman High School
Second Place winner: Tyra Schultz, Wheatland High School
Third Place winner: Mary McDonald, Wheatland High School
"Although Mena and I have the same last name, we are not related," Rep. Mann said. "I look forward to meeting Mena along with our amazingly talented high school artists around the district."
Rep. Mann's office received more 20 twenty entries from high school students across the Big First.
The submissions were judged and selected by a panel of four members of the Manhattan Arts Center in Manhattan, Kan. The pieces were reviewed and judged based on composition, design, concept, and execution.
"I want to thank our panelists and judges for this year's art competition: Clive Fullagar, Kelly Yarbrough, Mary Gordon, and Diana Werts," Rep. Mann said. "Thank you for helping our office in the selection process. We appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedules to review the submissions."
“All three winners demonstrated sophisticated composition, good use of color and light, and showed technical expertise and mastery of their medium," the judging panel noted. "These three had a strong artistic impact and were clearly distinguishable from the other entries. That said, the overall the quality of submissions was high.”
Mena Mann's piece, "Still Life Chaos," will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year and featured on the House.gov Congressional Art Competition page. Mena, Tyra, and Mary's artwork will also be displayed on Rep. Mann's website.