Peoria Standard

Congresswoman Mary Miller (IL-15) issued the following announcement on May 28.

Congresswoman Mary Miller (IL-15) announces that Carmi White County High School student wins the annual Congressional Art Competition.

Gage Atteberry of Carmi, Illinois won first place with his piece titled, "The Weight of Faith". The artwork depicts his 72 year-old grandmother's hands holding one of her mother's favorite rosaries that she used every night. Gage used a mix of pencil, charcoal and colored pencil to complete the piece.

 "I am completely blown away by the artistic talent in Illinois' 15th District," Congresswoman Miller said. "Gage's artwork is magnificent and extraordinarily detailed. To then hear the story & inspiration behind his work, made the artwork and detail all the more spectacular.

"It is no surprise that the judges chose Gage's impressive piece to win."

Gage competed against 17 other pieces of artwork. The judges for the competition were Eastern Illinois University art students, teachers, and alumni.

The annual Congressional Art Competition celebrates the artistic achievements of the nation’s high school students. Since it began in 1982, more than 670,000 high school students have participated.

The winner will be honored at a reception in Washington in October and have their artwork displayed in the Capitol for the following six months.

The Office of Congresswoman Mary Miller also held a "People's Choice Award" with all the submitted pieces of artwork on social media. The winner of the "People's Choice Award" is Genesis Campbell, a student at Lawrenceville High School in St. Francisville, Illinois.

Her work is titled, "Childhood" and depicts a girl drawing her past-self, reflecting on the times of her childhood.