RIVER VALE, N.J.—Resident Jasmine Kang, a junior at Bergen County Academies, the magnet school in Hackensack, has her finger on the pulse of the working stiff, earning runner-up in the 2019 Fifth District Congressional Art Competition.
The event’s host, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5), praised Kang’s work May 15 along with others in the competition and showcase, saying in part, “The talent and dedication of these young artists never ceases to amaze me.”
In Kang’s acrylic on canvas, a piece called “Coffee Break For All,” an American flag snaps proudly behind or in front of what could be read as a section of wall. The viewer stands with tradesmen, half of whom wear helmets, which gleam in the sunlight—as does a star on the flag itself.
Kang told Pascack Press May 31, “I wanted to depict a very classic and normal daily scene of our country, while showing off the theme of unity in diversity in our country, and tell people that we are one nation.”
She added, “Growing up, I always thought of this concept as very important and I always wanted to express the significance of understanding that individual differences exist, and accepting and respecting each other no matter what. So I decided to convey this message through this art piece.”
She said it was her first time entering the contest.
Separately, she recently won best of show in the New Jersey Junior Duck Stamp Contest and then took second place, and a $500 prize, in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest.
Gottheimer encourages young artists
Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated.
Students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of district artists select the winning entries. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. The winning works are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.
Residents of the Fifth District are invited to vote online for their favorite pieces to help Gottheimer select the year’s winner.
First place in the contest went to Elise Leinaweaver, a senior at Hackettstown High School. Leinaweaver will have her entry, a self portrait concerned with feelings of ambivalence and anxiety, displayed at the U.S. Capitol Building for a year. She’ll receive two round-trip tickets to Washington to attend a reception for the new display this month.
