Recently, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-9) announced the Illinois 9th district’s winners of the 2012 “An Artistic Discovery Congressional Art Competition”.

The first place winner, Niles West student Mark Noel F. Bibat, will be honored at a national ceremony with other winners from across the country in Washington, D.C. on June 20. His winning painting, “Silenced”, touches on the subject of bullying and will hang in the U.S. Capitol for a year. 

“This picture deals with bullying because the subject is a representation of a teen bully,” wrote Bibat.

“The darker colors help emphasize the hurt that bullying can cause to others.  The caution tape wrapped around the subject signifies that as a society we have to be cautious of the words coming out from our mouths because they can be hurtful.  The title of the piece is ‘Silenced’ because it is only when bullying can be silenced and stopped that we can truly prevent the hurt and sorrow that bullying can cause,”  explained Bibat.

Second place went to Tiffany Neal of Niles West for her piece “At Rest.”

Conducted in Congressional districts throughout the country, the competition has had hundreds of thousands of participants since its inception in 1982. “Today’s Artistic Discovery exhibit reflects the artistic ability and awesome potential of our nation’s young people,” said Rep. Schakowsky. “Arts education provides a valuable outlet to develop imagination and cognitive skills. It is no longer debated - students involved in the arts thrive.”

Thirty-nine students from 15 area high schools submitted drawings, paintings, collages, mixed media, photographs and computer-generated artworks to the competition. Winners were selected by a panel of independent judges made up of local artists and art advocates.  Prizes included scholarships to take classes at Columbia College Chicago’s High School Summer Institute, the Evanston Arts Center, and Lillstreet Art Center as well as a family pass to the Art Institute of Chicago and goodie bags from the Utrecht Art Supply Store. All entries will be on display at the Skokie Public Library until May 31.