Rep. Johnson announces 2016 Congressional Arts Competition winners
LITHONIA, GA -- Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced the winners of his 2016 Congressional Arts Competition and awarded four college scholarships worth a total of $35,000 on April 23 at the Lou Walker Senior Center.
The Grand Prize Winner was Demetria Coffee, a junior from Newton County High School. She won a $12,000 scholarship to The Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) for her work “Depression.” Miss Coffee will travel to Washington, D.C., in June to see her art displayed in the Capitol, where it will hang with other award winners from around the country for a year. Miss Coffee also won two roundtrip airline tickets from Southwest Airlines to Washington, D.C., for the National Recognition Ceremony.
First runner up was Jose Gomez, a senior from Meadowcreek High School in Gwinnett County. He won a $12,000 scholarship to The Art Institute of Atlanta for his work “Equality.” His work will be displayed in Congressman Johnson’s District office for a year.
Second runner up went to Terrell Reese, a senior from Meadowcreek, for his work “Lost Ones.” He earned a $7,500 scholarship to The Art Institute of Atlanta.
Third runner up was Toni Hodges, a senior from Arabia Mountain High School in DeKalb. She earned a $3,500 scholarship to The Art Institute of Atlanta for her work “The Moon’s View.”
Since 2007, Congressman Johnson has awarded more than $315,000 in arts scholarships to Fourth District students.
“Every year, it warms my heart how such a diverse and talented group of students compete in this annual event,” said Rep. Johnson. “Again this year, we see the vision and artistry of Fourth District students on full display.”
Congressman Johnson and his staff wore purple in honor of musical legend Prince.
“We all have a stroke of genius inside us,” Johnson told the students. “Your genius is on display today. Just like Prince, we all must tap into our God-given talents and not be afraid to display them to the world.”
More than 19 high school students from DeKalb, Gwinnett and Newton counties submitted artwork competing for the four college scholarships.
The judges for Rep. Johnson’s 2016 Art Competition were: Kate McLeod of the High Museum of Art; Jennifer Galloway, owner of Thirsty Mona Lisa Art Gallery; Doreen Williams, Rockdale County Commissioner; Michelle Bryant-Johnson of the Newton County Art Council; and Suzanne Lipe, AHF Clinic.
The Chapel Hill Middle School Symphonic Ensemble also performed at the reception. Band director Natalie Brown was recognized by Rep. Johnson for her hard work and dedication to developing the middle school artists at Chapel Hill.