WARWICK, RI – U.S. Senator Jack Reed today announced the winners of his 2016 High School Arts Competition to celebrate young artistic talent in the Ocean State.  Cosponsored by the RI Art Education Association (RIAEA), the contest features artwork from students hailing from 29 schools across Rhode Island.  Each school submitted up to three works of art from three different students.

The winning works of art will be on exhibit at the Warwick Mall from April 26 through May 1.  This year’s winners were chosen by a panel of judges that included: David DePetrillo of the Providence Art Club; Berge Zobian of Gallery Z; and Marta Martinez of the RI Latino Arts Association.

Anita Fang, a junior from Cranston High School West, won this year’s top prize with her work “Keep Drawing,” which she created using graphite pencil and colored pencil on rag paper.  Her work will be displayed in Senator Reed’s Washington, D.C. office for the next year.

Caitlin Brown, a sophomore from North Kingstown High School, and Sandra Mora, a senior from Classical High School, earned second and third place.  Brown’s “A Dream to Reality” was created using newspapers, glue, and a marker, while Mora’s “Axochiapan” was done with oil pastels.  Their artwork will be displayed in Senator Reed’s Cranston and Providence offices, respectively, for one year.

All three winners will receive a ribbon, a gift certificate from the Warwick Mall, and custom framing of their work from Providence Picture Frame and Dryden Gallery.

“I want to congratulate Anita, Caitlin, Sandra, and each of these gifted students for exhibiting their talent and imagination in this contest,” said Senator Reed.  “I look forward to this competition every year, and I am always very impressed by their work and creativity.  Our arts community forms a critical part of our economy and I’m proud to help showcase the creative talents of these young Rhode Islanders.”

A closing reception will be held for all participating students, art teachers, school officials, and judges at the Warwick Mall on Sunday, May 1 from 5 to 7 p.m.  

Honorable Mention awards were given to five students: Carly Nasznic, a senior at The Prout School; Alannah Bareham, a senior at Providence Country Day School; Erin Turnbull, a sophomore at Scituate High School; Jazmin Tuscani, a senior at Pilgrim High School; and Paul Hazian, a senior at Cranston High School West. 

Jean Amore, a senior at Cumberland High School, was chosen as the “Senator Reed staff pick” for her work, “Deviated Septum.”

Senator Reed is a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).