WASHINGTON   –  U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) has announced the winner of the 2009 Congressional Art Contest for the Eighth Congressional District.  Miss Alexandria Birk of Saxony Lutheran High School in Jackson, Missouri will have her artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol this year.  Mrs. Brenda Seyer is her art teacher, and the painting, titled “Not Smiling,” is an acrylic medium on canvas.

“I’m always impressed by the exceptional skill of our art students, but the talent on display this year made the selection of a winner extremely difficult for our judges.  I’m very proud to congratulate Alexandria, and I will look forward to passing her artwork on my way to vote in the U.S. Congress in Washington, DC,” Emerson said.  “Each of our entrants did an exceptional job, and I am thrilled again this year by the level of participation in this unique, district-wide event.”

Miss Birk’s painting and ten other honorable mention works will be displayed at The Black Door Gallery at 1245 South Spanish Street in Cape Girardeau at the First Friday showing tomorrow, May 2, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.  An awards ceremony will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Ten other students earned Honorable Mention in the competition:

Katie Winter of Saxony Lutheran High School, with a photograph titled, "Pieces of Me", Brenda Seyer, art teacher.

Lucy Gage of Saxony Lutheran High School, with a water color titled, "Early Light", Brenda Seyer, art teacher.

Kinsey Alexander of John F. Hodge High School in St. James, Missouri, with a self-portrait in pencil, Pamela Paradis, art teacher.

Courtney Hofstetter of John F. Hodge High School in St. James, Missouri with a radial design of watercolor, color pencils, color markers and sharpie pen titled, "Mandala", Pamela Paradis, art teacher.

Joshua Harris of Cape Central High School, art teacher Judy Barks-Westrich, submitted a mixed-media titled, "Lessteso de Fortissimo".

Emma Leus of Cape Central High School, art teacher Lawrence Brookins, Jr., submitted an oil paste, titled "L - The Candyman Detective".

Kristen Dippold of Saxony Lutheran High School, art teacher Brenda Seyer, submitted an acrylic paint titled, "Peaceful Morning".

Janna Trautwein of Cape Central High School, art teacher Lawrence Brookins, Jr., submitted a linoleum block print titled, "Riverdance".

Katie Stenger of Poplar Bluff High School, art teacher Debora Dunnegan, submitted an acrylic titled, "Presidential Points".

Brianna DeWitt of Dexter High School, art teacher Clinton Twaddell, submitted a color pencil titled, "Lady Ecouter".

Contest judges in the Eighth Congressional District Art Competition are all well-known artists in the area: Craig Thomas and Mark Farmer of Cape Girardeau, and Vicki Outman of Jackson.