Congresswoman Frederica Wilson’s Congressional Art Competition
By Gwen Belton
At close to 6 feet tall, with a child like face and innocence, Jamie Fleurimond came alive and seemed much older than his years as he quickly leaped from his seat and walked past his peers and fellow student artists to receive the first place trophy from Congresswoman Frederica Wilson at the second annual Congresswoman Frederica Wilson 2013 District 24 Congressional Art Competition, Art Show and Awards Ceremony, recently at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Art in Miami-Dade County.
The 10th grader from Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School, who was at a loss for words and fell into a sort of shyness as was congratulated, beat out 82 other (many very gifted) student artists to take first place and be named the 2013 District 24 Congressional Art Competition winner.
“As a former school teacher and school board member, I understand the importance of students getting a well rounded education. Art plays a key role in tapping into our students’ creative side and it allows them to express themselves in ways that result in beautiful and breathtaking artwork,” said Congresswoman Wilson.
As the first place winner from district 24, Jamie and a companion will be flown, complimentary of Southwest Airlines, to Washington, D.C. to spend the day with Congresswoman Wilson at the Capitol and attend a reception and installation ceremony for the winners from each Congressional District.
In addition, Jamie’s winning art piece titled “Greatness is Unlimited,” will be hung in the Cannon Tunnel at the U.S. Capitol for an entire year. The Cannon Tunnel is used by Congress members and congressional staff daily and visited by thousands of tourists. There is also scholarship money from the Savanna College of Art and Design.
“I am so proud of the all the students, they are so gifted and talented, and they deserve to be recognized and have their artwork showcased. I want to encourage them to pursue their dreams, to use their phenomenal creativity and passion for art to make a difference in their community and the world, “said Congresswoman Wilson.
Fleurimond’s winning piece is a vibrant color pencil drawing, on black paper, of a young man holding a large basketball out in front of him; the folds of the America flag fill the background of 28” by 26” rendering. His description says: “Young man holding a basketball in the air confronting the viewer. There is an American Flag in the background.”
In many ways the title “Greatness is Unlimited,” if befitting of Jamie – an unassuming 10th grader, who used his skills with color pencils to illustrate and verbalize his own potential for unlimited greatness.
2013 District 24 participants
This year, the 83 students who participated in the competition, submitted 92 pieces of artwork that were displayed at Congresswoman Wilson’s annual art show and awards ceremony, held at the Adrienne Arsht Center.
The artwork submitted by district 24 high school students from Broward and Miami-Dade County ranged from paintings (oil, acrylics, watercolor ,etc.), Drawings (colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, charcoal), Collage (two-dimensional), Prints (lithographs, silk-screen, bloc prints), Mixed-Media (use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.); computer-generated art and photography.
The schools participating were: Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High School, Design and Architecture Senior High School, Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School, Miami Central Senior High School, Miami Edison Senior High School, Miami Jackson Senior High School, Miramar High School, New World School of the Arts, North Miami Senior High School and North Miami Beach Senior High School.
Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual arts competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent from Congressional districts across the country. More than 650,000 U.S. high school students have participated in this competition since its inception in 1982.
