Colestock wins 3rd Congressional High School Art Competition

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Photo provided by Rachel Colestock

Rachel Colestock, senior, wins the 3rd Congressional High School Art Competition.

Ruby Krietzman, Photo Editor

When Rachel Colestock, senior, attended the 3rd Congressional High School Art Competition in Washington D.C., she did not expect to win a national competition.

“When I won, it was a big surprise,” Colestock said. “But at the moment, I felt numb. I was called up for first prize, and I actually felt like they made a mistake calling me up at first.”

Only one winner is chosen per congressional district. 15 schools participated, and 3 to 5 people from each school submitted their artwork to the competition.

Colestock submitted her charcoal self portrait that also won a Gold Key at the Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards.

Colestock’s painting was a self portrait with flowers over her eyes.

“To be honest I just looked up the assignment name, dramatic lighting self portrait, on the internet, and I saw [a photograph] that inspired me. It was just a girl who had a veil over her eyes while she was in a dramatically lit room,” Colestock said.  “I wanted mine to be like that but I also wanted to put my voice and something interesting into the object that I would be covering my eyes up with.”

Since sixth grade, Colestock always knew she wanted to dedicate her life to art.

“I got into art by watching a lot of superhero shows and reading graphic novels/comic books. I loved the beauty and edginess of the style that was drawn, and I copied drawings from the comics,” Colestock said.

Ms. Rood, Art, referred Colestock to the competition.

“Rachel’s work is unique, she has a strong interest in portraiture along with the interaction of nature. Rachel has worked hard as an AP Drawing and Painting student all year long. She won a gold key in the MN Scholastic Art Awards where her work went on to compete nationally. Her large self portrait painting was on display at an Edina/Hopkins Student Art Show at Edina Center for the Arts. A customer purchased the work for $200 – it wasn’t even for sale! Her art obviously moves viewers,” Rood said.