Edwards announces 2024 Congressional Art Competition winner

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Congressman Edwards and Dylan Merrill, the 2024 Congressional Art Competition winner for “A Lost Art”

U.S. Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) hosted a reception to celebrate the student participants of the 2024 Congressional Art Competition in North Carolina’s 11th District.

At the event, Edwards announced the winner and runners-up of the competition. The winning artworks were chosen by a select panel of judges.

• First place: Dylan Merrill, a student at Rosman High School, for “A Lost Art”
  • The piece will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol building for one year.
• Second place: Christina Cannon, a student at McDowell High School, for “Christina’s Perspective”
• Third place: Austin Owen, a student at IC Imagine Public Charter School, for “Down a Country Road”
• Honorable mention for the drawing category: Julius Hensley, a student at McDowell High School, for “Midnight Monsters”
• Honorable mention for the painting category: Selah Pace, a student at McDowell High School, for “Temperament of Degas”
• Honorable mention for the photograph category: Griffin Debecker, a student at IC Imagine Public Charter School, for “Cabbage”
• Honorable mention for 12th grade: Shelby Hensley, a student at IC Imagine Public Charter School, for “Floating Banana”
• Honorable mention for 11th grade: Jaya Penland, a student at IC Imagine Public Charter School, for “Animal Self Portrait”
• Honorable mention for 10th grade: Seaborn Thurman, a student at IC Imagine Public Charter School, for “Folly Night”
• Honorable mention for 9th grade: Collin Simmons, a student at IC Imagine Public Charter School, for “A Blossom of Hope”

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Colin Simmons, Selah Pace, Dylan Merrill, Austin Owen, Congressman Edwards, Seaborn Thurman, Julius Hensley and Christina Cannon

Edwards said, “The Congressional Art Competition reception was an exciting opportunity to celebrate the gifts and dedication of WNC students who participated in this year’s competition.

“Congratulations to Dylan Merrill, the 2024 Congressional Art Competition winner for NC-11, and to all our runners-up.

“Thank you to all who participated in the competition and for using your gifts to contribute to our community. Western North Carolina is proud to have such talented and creative students representing our mountains.”

Edwards will hold a “Facebook Favorite” competition posted on his official Facebook page @RepChuckEdwards for the public to vote for their favorite piece of art (excluding the first place winner whose artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol building) from May 15-22. The winning artwork will be displayed in Edwards’ Washington, D.C. office for one year.