Roane State Community College

The annual Congressional Art Competition held at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus included 148 entries from 12 schools in the 3rd Congressional District. From left are Rodney Van Valkenburg with ArtsBuild, honorable mention Abigail Hegwood from Girls Preparatory School, second place Haille Dinger from Baylor School, honorary chair Congressman Chuck Fleischmann, first place Electra Lowe from Campbell County Comprehensive High School, third place Regan Long from Girls Preparatory School, and Roane State President Dr. Chris Whaley.

May 2, 2017

By Bob Fowler
Roane State staff writer

The artistic talents of high school students from throughout Tennessee’s 3rd Congressional District were recognized and celebrated Sunday during an awards program hosted by Roane State Community College’s Oak Ridge campus.

Congressman Chuck Fleischmann, who represents the district, served as honorary chair.

Many of the 148 entries from 12 schools in the district, which spans 11 counties, lined hallways of the Coffey-McNally Building as the Congressman praised the students’ efforts.

“The artwork is incredible,” Rep. Fleischmann said, adding that the competition allows the students to “develop their talents and their potential.”

Every year, Fleischmann said, the event has become “progressively better.”

The nationwide Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide members of Congress the opportunity to showcase the artistic talents of younger constituents.

While all 435 members of the House of Representatives have the option to hold the event in their districts, records indicate Rep. Fleischmann is the first 3rd District Congressman to do so. He has held the event every year since 2014.

A three-member panel -- Stacy Jacobs, chair of Roane State’s Art Department, Roane State instructor Tatiana Potts, and artist Kathy Holland -- served as jurors. They faced a complex process, said Rodney Van Valkenburg. He is the Director of Grants and Initiatives for ArtsBuild, a Chattanooga-based organization that seeks to build stronger communities through the arts.

“Art is a reflection of who we are as a people, a reflection of what’s happening in America,” Van Valkenburg told the audience of students, their parents and local dignitaries gathered in Roane State’s City Room.

The Arts Council of Oak Ridge, Pinnacle Bank, and David and Pat Coffey also provided support for the art show.

Electra Lowe, a student at Campbell County Comprehensive High School, was the first-place winner with her entry titled “Fall Away.”

Electra said she’s a huge fan of the musical group “21 Pilots,” and her acrylic painting, depicting four legs and three arms in profile, is a tribute to one of the group’s songs.

“I’m proud of her,” said Georgea Green, Electra’s art teacher. “She’s a fine young lady, and she worked hard.”

Electra’s painting will be on display for a year in the Cannon Tunnel, which connects the Cannon House Office Building to the Capitol in Washington, D.C. The students’ artwork displayed there is seen daily by members of Congress and the public.

Electra will also receive two round-trip tickets, courtesy of Southwest Airlines, to Washington in June to attend a reception and see her artwork displayed.

Haille Dinger, a student at Baylor School in Chattanooga, took second place with her entry, “A Straighter Path.” Her art teacher is Betsy Carmichael.

Regan Long, who attends Girls Preparatory School in Chattanooga, won third place. Her entry is titled “Reflections of a French Horn,” and her art teacher is Julie Deavers.

The second- and third-place winners’ artwork will be displayed in Rep. Fleischmann’s district office in Chattanooga.

Roane State awarded checks of $100, $75 and $50 to the respective winners.​

Honorable mentions went to Tia Kemp, Girls Preparatory School; Abigail Hegwood, Girls Preparatory School; and Will Wilson, McCallie School.