Student's art to hang in U.S. Capitol

Prizes were awarded last week in the Missouri 8th Congressional District Student Art Competition sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson.

This year's best-in-show winner was Jackson High School senior Zack Petot. His mixed-media piece was selected for the honor out of more than 150 pieces submitted to this year's competition.

Petot's piece, "Harmony," will be transported to Washington, D.C., where it will hang in a walkway in the Cannon Congressional Building. Petot will also travel to Washington for the presentation.

"I am really shocked, personally," he said. "It is a great honor to have congressmen walk by my work for a year."

He said his piece has a background of a watercolor wash in warm colors with the colored pencil image of a young woman wearing headphones in the foreground.

"It is an experimental piece. I was just playing around with drawing. The idea for the headphones came from me. I love music. It helps me get through the day," Petot said.

While he has been drawing since grade school and is grateful for all of his instructors, he said he is particularly appreciative for the influence of Andrea Talley, his current art teacher.

Tammy Maddock, interim director of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, said this year's submissions included acrylics, photography, pencil drawings, mixed-media pieces, graphic design and woodworking.

"It continues to amaze me every year the level of talent we have in our area," Maddock said.

She said she was impressed with Petot's entry because it displayed an educated and advanced use of multiple techniques. She said it was extremely detailed and lifelike.

This year's submissions were judged by a three-person panel of two art teachers and one professional artist.

Emerson said the contest remains an effective tool to feature the abilities of area students.

"It is a real opportunity to showcase our talent," she said. "We do a great job in the 8th district of promoting the arts. It is an important part of the curriculum."

Emerson had the opportunity to see the entries and said she was impressed.

"These kids are amazing," she said. "Any of the submissions would have been fabulous to house in the walkway."

Emerson said the contest has been an annual occurrence for more than 20 years and district students continue to enter thoughtful pieces.

"There is really individual creativity," she said. "It is not just copying something. It is coming out of people's heads."

While the Missouri Legislature passed the budget for the upcoming fiscal year with no funding for the Missouri Arts Council, Emerson said she is hopeful the arts will continue to thrive in the area.

"We do have very, very generous people in the community that help support the funds received from the state," she said.

She said art is an important component in building a well-rounded individual, and that she remains optimistic the arts will continue to grow in the district.

The entries in this year's contest will be on display at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri in Cape Girardeau 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday until the end of the month.