Press Releases

Pittston, PA – Today U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced the winner of the Congressional Art Competition for Pennsylvania’s Seventeenth District.  The winner, Dupont’s Bailey Piechota, was a student at Pittston Area High School.

“Northeastern Pennsylvania has fantastic student artists, and I’m delighted that every year we have the chance to see beautiful pieces of art that represent the very best of our district,” said Rep. Cartwright.  “The Congressional Art Competition is a great opportunity to celebrate these local-area student-artists.”

A panel of competition judges selected Bailey’s charcoal drawing called “Little things” as this year’s winner. 

As the winner, Bailey’s artwork is on display in the Cannon Tunnel to the U.S. Capitol alongside winners from other congressional districts across the country.  She was able to go to Washington, D.C. with other winning student artists for a reception and ribbon cutting hosted by the Congressional Art Caucus.

“I’m excited to walk past Bailey’s artwork every time I walk to the U.S. Capitol,” said Rep. Cartwright. “I commend all of the student artists who submitted their work and all the family members, and educators who support these talented students.”

The Everhart Museum in Scranton displayed the artwork for this year’s Congressional Art Competition and hosted a reception for the students and their families. The Everhart is one of the oldest museums in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and part of the early 20^th century regional museum movement.

“Having the student’s artwork displayed at the museum and to share the amazing talent of our students with the community was made possible by the Everhart’s Executive Director, Aurore Giguet,” said Rep. Cartwright. 

Natalie Wasilchak, a student at Valley View High School, had her piece, “Doe Eyed,” selected as runner-up.  Dunmore High School student Megan Oakley came in third with her piece entitled “Bitz” and an honorable mention went to Devin Natishyn from Pocono Mountain West High School for his piece entitled “Water Reclaimed.” All the pieces are on display in Rep. Cartwright’s Scranton District Office.

The three competition judges were; Tom Shillea, Director of Art Programs at Northampton Community College, Pamela Parsons, tenured faculty member and Co-Chair of the Department of Visual Arts at Marywood University and Rose Randazzo, attorney and arts advocate from Pittston.

The Congressional Art Competition recognizes the artistic talents of high school students from each congressional district around the nation. The annual event is sponsored by the members of the House’s Congressional Art Caucus. Since the start of the competition in 1982, over 650,000 students have participated.