2012 Congressional Art Competition Awards

(C. Proxmire, Ferndale 115 News, May 15^th, 2012 edition)

The Rust Belt Market has special guests on May 6, 2012 as Congressman Sander Levin hosted the 31^st annual Congressional Art Competition for high school students in the 12^th District.

Five Ferndale students were among those who made the finals, along with teens from Centerline, Chippewa Valley, East Detroit, Fraser, Lakeshore, Lakeview, Roseville, Southfield Lathrup, Southfield, and Warren Woods.

The Ferndale High students were Vanessa Bucani, Shayla Crawford, Samantha Libby, Patrick McGillis and Kevin O’Donnell.

O’Donnell’s work was inspired by Lady GaGa, and it’s called “So Happy I Could Die.”  When Congressman Levin asked him to explain the title, O’Donnell said” Celebrities when they express themselves you can’t really see them up close, and the portrait is one of those you have to look far away to see it clearly. That’s how celebrities and people are, you can’t really see how they really are until you’re far away from them.”

Congressman Levin presented each student with a certificate and asked them either to talk about their work or their future plans.  He stressed that every contestant is a winner, but that he can only take one work with him to Washington DC.

The winner was Abbey Lampron from Lakeview High School.  To learn more about the contest and the artwork featured, check out the video below: