Meuser Selects PA-09 Art Competition Winner

POTTSVILLE, PA— Congressman Dan Meuser (PA-09) announced Cassidy Heckler, a senior at North Schuylkill High School, as the winning artist for the Congressional Art Competition. Her work will be displayed at the U.S Capitol and proudly represent Pennsylvania's Ninth Congressional District. Each Spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors the Congressional Art Competition to recognize young artists from across the country.

The theme for submission was "Reflections of Pennsylvania," and nearly 30 students from around the Ninth District entered artwork into the contest. The submissions were judged by a panel of art instructors from universities and colleges located within the district.

Included on the panel was: Chad Andrews, Assistant Professor of Printmaking / Foundations, Bloomsburg University; Ann Marie Hayes-Hawkinson, Board of Directors, GoggleWorks, Curator of Kutztown University's President's Gallery, and wife of Kutztown University President Dr. Kenneth Hawkinson; Dr. Barbara McNulty, Director, Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery, Lebanon Valley College; and Lisa Robinson, MBA Instructor, Penn State Schuylkill.

"Ms. Heckler and all of the participating students are very gifted artists. I am proud to represent these talented students and be able to showcase their artwork for visitors from all over the district and world to see," said Congressman Meuser. "The arts are a fundamental aspect of education that help to foster creativity, ingenuity, and vision among our students. Thank you to all of the students who participated, the judges who dedicated their time to this event, and to the folks at Empire Beauty School for letting us host the event at the Schoeneman Corporation's Finkelstein Auditorium."

The winner and a guest win a trip to Washington, D.C. for a reception at the Capitol Visitor Center to unveil the selected artwork from Congressional Districts across the nation. The Congressman will also select a few pieces to be displayed in his Washington, D.C. office. All other pieces will be on display in the district offices in Pottsville, Palmyra, and Reading. The art will be returned to the students after one year.