North Baltimore Journal

(Timonium, MD) - Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) on May 23, 2023 announced Sparks resident Annette Mercado-Williams as the winner of the 2023 Congressional Art Contest for Maryland's Second District. Mercado-Williams, a graduating senior from Hereford High School, submitted a digital illustration entitled “Desensitization,” which depicts an eye covered in bees to represent her fear of the winged insect.

Mercado-Williams’ piece was selected among 20 submissions by a panel of local artists and art teachers appointed by Congressman Ruppersberger. It will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol complex for one year, providing inspiration to more than 12,000 Capitol visitors and Members of Congress as they make their way to the House floor for votes each day.

“We received many incredible works of art this year, but Annette’s digital illustration stood out to me as well as to our judges,” Congressman Ruppersberger said. “Her piece is just a sample of the extraordinary talent in Maryland’s Second District and will help remind lawmakers of the critical role the arts play in the education of American children.  I want to thank all of the artists who participated in the competition this year and I wish them the best of luck in their future artistic endeavors.” 

Sponsored each spring by the Congressional Institute, the Congressional Art Contest is a national high school visual art competition that recognizes and encourages artistic talent in the nation. Since it began in 1982, hundreds of thousands of high school students have participated in the contest.

Congressman Ruppersberger hosted this year’s first, second and third place winners, along with their family members and art teachers, at a reception in his Timonium office earlier this week. Gabriella Henry of Parkville High School and Reilly DiPaula of Notre Dame Preparatory School won second and third place, respectively.

Original source can be found here.