Gary Palmer names winners in 2018 Congressional art competition

Three students from schools in the U.S. 280 area were among nine winners named in Congressman Gary Palmer’s 2018 Congressional Art Competition.

Olivia Williams from Spain Park High School won the Chuck Close Award for the most realistic drawing or painting, while Gabriella Priolo from Briarwood Christian High won the Vincent Van Gogh Award for most expressive brushwork in painting, and Eliza Black from Indian Springs School won the Leonardo Da Vinci Award for most innovative artist.

They were among nine students selected as winners from among 64 students from 17 high schools that participated in the competition.

The first-place winner was Grace Varner from Hoover High, while second place went to Payton Hays of Evangel Christian School and third place went to Bailey Gosdin of Leeds High.

Other winners were Ginger Llivina from Vestavia Hills High (David Hockney Award for best drawing), Abigail Donovan from Hewitt-Trussville High (Claude Monet Award for best depiction of light on a subject) and Raven Harrington from Hoover High (Hokusai Award for best nature depiction).

All of the students’ artwork was displayed at the Riverchase Galleria April 14-22, and now Varner’s piece will hang in the U.S. Capitol for a year with winners from other Congressional districts.

“Each year I am impressed by the creative talents of the young people in Alabama’s Sixth District,” Palmer said in a news release. “I would like to congratulate Grace Varner on winning the competition this year, and I look forward to seeing her in D.C. this June for the National Art Reception.”