South Central High School Junior Wins Congressional Art Competition
Matthew Paciullo’s artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol.
GREENVILLE, N.C. — U.S. Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) announced that Matthew Paciullo, a South Central High School junior, won first place in the North Carolina First Congressional District Artistic Discovery Contest. Paciullo won first place with his piece “Liberty.”
“We have incredible, creative young minds here in eastern North Carolina. I was pleased to host the congressional art competition and commend all participants. It was an opportunity for students to display their artwork and meet other artists from across the First Congressional District," said Congressman Don Davis.
“Liberty,” made out of recycled carved and painted styrofoam, was inspired by Matthew’s father and their shared love of rock music.
The Artistic Discovery Contest is an opportunity to recognize and encourage artistic talent nationwide. Twenty-four students across North Carolina’s First Congressional District, which consists of 19 counties, entered the high school art competition.
Congressman Don Davis awarded Matthew Paciullo from South Central High School first place for his artwork “Liberty.”
A committee of art professionals volunteered their time to judge the competition. The judges included Lamar Whidbee, a professional artist from Hertford, North Carolina, Dr. Trista Reis Porter, Art Executive Director with the Greenville Museum, Clarence Goss, Jr., MFA, Director of the 1704 Media Productions and Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at Elizabeth City State University, and Dr. Paul Baker, Executive Director of the Contemporary Art Museum and Full Professor of History at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
The Artistic Discovery Contest judges Dr. Trista Reis Porter, Clarence Goss, Jr., MFA, Lamar Whidbee, and Dr. Paul Baker, pictured with Congressman Don Davis.
Matthew and his father will attend a reception sponsored by the Congressional Institute for the winners in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on June 20.
Matthew’s artwork will be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., for one year, along with the winning artwork from all participating districts nationwide.
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