Congresswoman Duckworth Opens 8th Congressional District Art Competition Exhibit in Arlington Heights

The Congressional Art Competition, first held in 1982, is a nationwide high school arts competition sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives.  One winning piece of artwork from each House district will be selected to be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington for the next year.  The theme for the District this year was “Nature in the Modern World.”  Artists produced an array of pieces that highlighted the coexistence of nature in industrial environments and initiatives that protect our natural resources in the State of Illinois. The winner will be eligible to receive a $3,000 scholarship to Savannah College of Art and Design and win two round-trip airline tickets to Washington, D.C.

The exhibit can be viewed at:

The Arlington Green Executive Building
Northwest Cultural Council Gallery
2101 Arlington Heights Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Here is a list of the artwork on display:

“Neon Scapes” by Klavidia Sekvra, Schaumburg High School, Senior
“Preserving Nature” by Rebecca Bender, Schaumburg High School, Senior
“Untitled Photography” by Jackie Muff, Elk Grove High School, Senior
“Make the World Go Around” by Katerina Kano Jockish, James B. Conant, Senior
“Invasive Species” by Janise Garcia, Streamwood High School, Senior
“Remembering Roots” by Joseph Vichio, Glenbard East High School, Junior
“Moment to Silence” by Sean Habel, Hoffman Estates High School, Senior
“Revival” by Cheyenne Lam, Addison Trail High School, Sophomore
“Symbiosis” by Alyssa Froenling, Palatine High School, Senior
“Nightmare” by Colleen Gillmann, Palatine High School, Junior
“Coexist” by Jeong Eun Hun, Palatine High School, Junior

The Judges for the art competition include:

Ra Joy, Executive Director, Art Alliance
Ra Joy has more than 15 years of experience as an advocate, community organizer, and coalition builder. As executive director Ra Joy sets and implements the organization’s strategic goals, manages its operations, and serves as a principal spokesperson. Prior to joining Arts Alliance Illinois, he served as a top aide to U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky. He was a fellow in the Leadership Greater Chicago’s class of 2005, serves on the board of directors for Mikva Challenge, and was recently appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel to serve as a member of the City of Chicago’s Cultural Advisory Council.

Gary Drake, Artist
Gary Drake earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Iowa in drawing and sculpture and an  Master’s degree from Northern Illinois University in sculpture. He also studied children’s’ book illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design. For thirty-five years he taught art in the schools of Northwest Suburban High School District 214. He lives with his wife, Pat Lind, in Arlington Heights, Illinois. 

Chantala Kommanivanh, Artist
Chantala Kommanivanh is both a visual artist and recording artist. His work has been displayed in three solo exhibitions in the Chicago area galleries and has been included in numerous group and invitational exhibitions in the U.S. He received his M.F.A at UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts for painting and drawing and has achieved numerous awards such as the Union League Civic & Arts foundation award and a two time A.O.P Fellowship award recipient. Chantala Kommanivanh lives and works in Chicago.