Higgins announces winners of 2013 annual student art competition

Grand prize titled "Strength - The Tie That Binds" will be displayed in tunnel to US Capitol

Congressman Brian Higgins, NY-26, has announced the winners of the 2013 annual Congressional Art Competition, "An Artistic Discovery."

Grand Prize Winner - To be displayed in Washington, D.C.:

Nora Ramsey from Amherst High School, for her photograph titled "Strength - The Tie That Binds."

1^st Runner-Up:

Isabella Woods, a student at Nardin Academy, for her graphite piece titled "Fear."

2^nd Runner-Up, also recognized as the Best of Western New York:

Nicole Hahn, from Niagara Falls High School, for her acrylic artwork titled "The Mighty Niagara."

3^rd Runner-Up:

Alexia Santiago, a student at McKinley High School, for her photograph titled "Birds Eye View."

Online Competition Winner:

Erin Gannon, from Nardin Academy, for her acrylic piece titled "Fear."

One piece from each Congressional district is selected to be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the Capitol Building.

"Each year we receive an impressive selection of work, which exemplifies the fantastic talent of local students," Higgins said. "We are proud to take the winning piece to Washington, D.C., to be displayed in our nation's capital, and enjoy publicly displaying all of the students' work both in the Larkin building and through an online gallery."

All artwork submitted to Higgins' office was displayed for the public in first floor lobby at the Larkin at Exchange Building. In addition, each piece was posted in a virtual gallery on Higgins' website. The public was invited to choose which pieces were best. More than 300 votes were tallied in the online contest.

On May 5, Higgins hosted a ceremony for teachers, students and their families where the top winners were announced. Nearly 40 students from seven different high schools in Erie and Niagara counties entered their artwork into the competition.

Serving as judges were Jennifer Swan, communication and administration coordinator for Arts Services Initiative of Western New York Inc., and Leslie Zemsky, a local artist and president of the Albright Knox Art Gallery.