Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) has announced the winners of the 2016 Congressional Art Competition. During an awards ceremony at Northeastern State University on April 22, 2016, Mullin announced the winners of six different categories, as well as the overall winners of the competition. 

Robert Nofire, a senior at Tahlequah High School, took home the top honor of first place overall in the competition for his graphite drawing titled “Chief Highbear.” He also won first place in the drawings category.

Second place overall was awarded to Megan Zimbelman, also a senior at Tahlequah High School, for her acrylic painting titled “Oklahoma Wildfire.”  Megan also earned first place in the paintings category.

Kaitlin Fullenwider, a senior at Broken Bow High School, placed third overall and first in the collage category for her glass seed beadwork in American Native Designs.

“We have so many talented artists in the Second Congressional District, and I’m amazed by the entries we receive for the art competition each year,” said Mullin. “All of these students have shown a deep commitment to their craft, and I couldn’t be more proud that they call the Second District home.”

A complete list of the winners of the 2016 Second District Congressional Art Competition can be found below and on www.mullin.house.gov.

2016 Congressional Art Competition Winners

Overall

First Overall Winner: Chief Highbear, Graphite, Robert Nofire, Tahlequah High School 12^th, Tahlequah                                                                                                                                     

Second Overall Winner:  Oklahoma Wild Fire, Acrylic, Megan Zimbelman, Tahlequah High School 12^th, Tahlequah

Third Overall Winner:  American Native Designs, Glass Seed beads/ leather, Kaitlin Fullenwider, Broken Bow High School 12^th, Broken Bow

Paintings

First Place: Oklahoma Wild Fire, Acrylic, Megan Zimbelman, Tahlequah High School 12^th, Tahlequah

Second Place: Patriotic Duty, Acrylic, Stormy Ross, Broken Bow Public Schools 12^th, Haworth

Third Place: The Wolf, Tempera, Samantha Lopez, Red Oak Public Schools, Red Oak

Drawings

First Place: Chief Highbear, Graphite, Robert Nofire, Tahlequah High School 12^th, Tahlequah

Second Place: Rosebud, Charcoal, Scottie Kniess, Kinta High School 12^th, Kinta 

Third Place: Symbolism of America, Graphite, Ajay King, Eufaula High School 9^th, Eufaula      

Collages

First Place: American Native Designs, Glass Seed beads/ leather, Kaitlin Fullenwider, Broken Bow High School 12^th, Broken Bow

Mixed Media

First Place: Downtown Tahlequah, Pen and Ink, Alyssa McKee, Tahlequah High School 11^th, Tahlequah       

Second Place: Soldier with flag, Mixed, Pearl Adah, Kinta High School 10^th, Kinta

Third Place: Still Strong, Graphite and Ink, Jacob Washington, Tahlequah High School 10^th, Tahlequah

Computer Generated

First Place: Reaching for the Stars of FREEDOM, Dan Yoder, Jr., William Bradford Christian School 9^th, Rose         

Second Place: Patriotism, Charlotte Oliver, Sallisaw High School 9^th, Sallisaw

Photography

First Place: Heroes, John Kavanagh, Tahlequah High School 10^th, Tahlequah        

The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for Members of Congress to encourage and recognize artistic talent in their district. The competition is open to all high school students (grades 9-12) in the Second Congressional District of Oklahoma.

Students or teachers interested in participating in the 2017 Congressional Art Competition should contact Mary Bower in Mullin’s Muskogee office at 918-687-2533.

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