Glenbrook South sophomore earns honorable mention in 10th District Congressional Art Competition

A Glenbrook South student's digital sketchbook piece titled "The Four Hands of Unity" has garnered an honorable mention in the Congressman Brad Schneider's annual Congressional Art Competition.

Thirty-seven students from 12 schools in the 10th District virtually submitted artwork interpreting the theme "Unity."

"Art has always had the power to excite, inspire and lift up both those who create it and those who experience the create," Schneider said. "That's why, for this year's art competition, I asked district artists to deliver on the theme 'Unity' - an idea that seems to be much needed at this moment. Each student delivered incredibly talented and thoughtful art, and I wish that we had the space to hang them all in the Capitol.

"Congratulations to the top three winners: Kate Salinas from Waukegan High School, Kimberly Lagunas from Waukegan High School and Ava McQuain from Mundelein High School. I hope that their work will serve to inspire and guide the nation and the Tenth district as it already has inspired me."

GBS sophomore Meg McGavic earned an honorable mention.

"America is made up of all types of people," McGavic wrote in her artist's statement. "We work better together hand-in-hand, and protect our great country. In my drawing, you can see representation of different skin colors, religions, and sexualities uniting the land of the free and the home of the brave. I call it: The Four Hands of Unity."

Amy Amdur, Executive Director of national arts festival production company Amdur Productions, and Soojin Lee, Art Gallery Director of the Korean Cultural Center of Chicago judged the entries anonymously, without seeing artists' names or schools.

The first place entry will be hung in the U.S. Capitol for the next year, along with winning works from every district in the county. The second place entry will be displayed in Congressman Schneider's district office in Lincolnshire, and the third place entry will hang in his office in Washington.