Congresswoman Grace Meng on Tuesday announced that a freshman Bayside High School student was selected as the winner of her annual Congressional district art contest.
Natalie Niselson won the competition with her piece entitled “Brainwashed,” which will be displayed for one year within the halls of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., along with other winning entries from art contests in congressional districts throughout the U.S.
The competition, which consisted of entries from Queens high school students, is part of “An Artistic Discovery,” the national art contest held annually by the House of Representatives that showcases the artwork of all congressional district art contest winners from across the nation.
“I am thrilled and excited to congratulate Natalie Niselson for winning this year’s contest, and I thank all of our local students who entered the competition,” Meng said. “Each year, I love seeing such beautiful, creative and inspiring work that our young artists create, and this year was no exception. I look forward to Natalie’s winning piece representing our congressional district in Washington, D.C., and I am proud to highlight her exceptional talent.”
Meng announced Niselson as the winner during a reception she recently hosted for students and their families. The reception was held at the Elmhurst branch of the Queens Public Library in its second floor reading room, where all the submitted artwork was on display during the event.
Meng thanked Elmhurst Library for providing a “wonderful space for the reception and exhibition.”
“As we continue to move past the COVID-19 pandemic, I am glad that we can continue to hold this competition, and spotlight the tremendous creativity of our young people,” Meng said.
Additionally, Meng announced the second and third place winners whose artwork will be displayed for one year in Meng’s Flushing office.
Angela Lin, a 10th grader from Rego Park, came in second place for her artwork named “Returning to Normalcy.”
Siya Gupta, an 11th grader from Rego Park, took third place in the contest for her artwork named “New York Under the Light.”
Meng presented all the students who entered with certificates of congressional recognition. Entries were submitted in several mediums including paintings (oil, watercolors, acrylic, etc.), collages, prints (lithographs, silk screens, etc.) and drawings. The judging was done by a panel at Flushing Town Hall.
The Artistic Discovery contest was launched in 1982 for members of Congress to highlight the artistic work of high school students from around the nation. Since it began, more than 650,000 high school students from throughout the United States have participated in the competition.
