WARWICK, RI - U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today announced the winners of his 2012 annual High School Arts Competition to celebrate the artistic and creative talents of young people across Rhode Island.

For the second year in a row, Miri Kim, a senior at Chariho Regional High School, took top honors.  Her acrylic painting “Hope” depicting boats docked in the port of Galilee will be displayed in Senator Reed’s Washington, DC office for the next year to showcase Rhode Island’s artistic talent to visitors from across the country.

All the entries in this year’s competition will be displayed in an exhibit that will be open to the public from Monday, April 30 – Sunday, May 6 at the Warwick Mall.                                

The second place winner is Junior Sandra Lopez of Cranston East High School for her black and white scratchboard/2-pt Perspective “City Block”.  Chayanne Escalera, a senior at Central Falls High School, rounded out the top three with her work of digital photography “Two Sides to One Flag.”   All entries were reviewed by a panel of volunteer judges.

“Once again, I congratulate Miri and all the students for their creativity and passion,” said Senator Reed.  “Rhode Island has produced many great artists over the years and our arts community is vital to our economy.  I am pleased to have the opportunity to help showcase the hard work and talent of these aspiring young artists.”

This year’s statewide competition drew 47 entries from 17 different public, private, and parochial high schools.  This year’s panel of judges included: Mary Jane Begin; Professor/Illustrator (RISD); Berge Ara Zobian; Gallery Director of Z Gallery; Dan Mechnig, President of the Providence Art Club; and David C. DePetrillo, Vice President of the Providence Art Club.

After the close of the week long exhibit, Senator Reed will host an awards reception for all participating students, their families, teachers, and school officials on Sunday, May 6 at 6 p.m. at the Warwick Mall. 

The winning artwork will be framed by Holland Galleries in Warwick and will be prominently displayed in Senator Reed’s Washington, DC office for one year.  The second and third place winners will have their artwork displayed in the Senator’s Cranston and Providence offices.

Honorable Mention awards were given to five students, including: Emily Feng, Cumberland High School; Rachell Giorgi, Cumberland High School; Brianna O’Keefe, Cumberland High School; Lorianna Logan, Lincoln High School; and Maddie Hollis, Mount Saint Charles Academy.

Additionally, Joel Dunn, Pilgrim High School and Chrissy Sieben, Portsmouth High School were chosen as "Reed staff picks."

Senator Reed is the Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).  Earlier this month, Reed brought the top arts official in the Obama Administration, Rocco Landesman, up to Rhode Island to get a firsthand look at how the state and local communities are using the arts as a tool for job development, education, and urban renewal.