Hartwick’s Hannah Sell Wins
Congressional Art Show In 19th
HARTWICK – Hannah Sell, daughter of Phillip and Donna Sell of Hartwick, is the winner of the 2015 Congressional Art Competition for the 19th Congressional District of New York, Congressman Chris Gibson announced Friday.
Hannah’s acrylic painting “Deployment,” which depicts American troops riding aboard a vehicle in the fading sunlight, will be part of a year-long exhibit at the U.S. Capitol featuring works by students from across the country.
“Having deployed seven times with the Army, I am proud that this powerful image will represent our district in the Congressional Art Competition,” said Congressman Gibson. “Hannah is a talented young artist and a gifted student athlete. I deeply appreciate her patriotism and community spirit. We are so lucky that she has chosen to pursue a career in teaching.”
Hannah, a homeschooled student, earned a soccer scholarship at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Mich., and will study education.
“Deployment” was a winning entry in the 2015 Otsego County Artistic Discovery competition sponsored by the Cooperstown Art Association.
“This painting depicts the sacrifice of men and women who serve in the Armed Forces to protect our freedoms, lives, and liberties,” said Hannah.
She and her mother met with Congressman Gibson on Wednesday and attended a reception for contest winners at the Capitol.
The Congressional Art Competition, a project of the non-partisan Congressional Institute, is open to high school students. Each Member of the House of Representatives is able to select a winner from a district-level competition.
Congressman Gibson encourages students from the 19th District to submit original photos, paintings, or drawings for entry in next year’s Congressional Art Competition. Digital images should be e-mailed to the congressman’s Washington office in March or April. For information call 202-225-5614.
