Guthrie Announces 2023 Art Competition Winners

Thu, 04/27/2023 - 2:37pm — Diane Dyer

Elizabethtown, KY -Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) announced the winners of the 2023 Congressional Art Competition from Kentucky’s Second District at the art competition reception he hosted at the Elizabethtown Tourism and Convention Center on April 24, 2023, for students and their families and educators.

Guthrie and other participating Members of the U.S. House of Representatives host the Congressional Art Competition each spring in their respective districts for high school students. This year, 45 artwork entries were created for this competition between 37 students representing Barren, Breckinridge, Butler, Daviess, Edmonson, Hart, Nelson, and Warren counties.

Rep. Guthrie pictured with students who participated in the Congressional Art Competition and art teacher, Jennifer Sims, from Hart County High School

An independent panel of local art educators chose the winners for this competition with the exception of the “Facebook Favorite” winner, which is determined by the public by voting on Facebook.

Nelson County High School student Dakota Kirchner won overall first place with “What If He Was Never Really There,” and this student’s artwork will be featured in the U.S. Capitol with other winning artworks from U.S. congressional districts and territories.

Rep. Guthrie pictured with Congressional Art Competition overall winner, Dakota Kirchner

“Congratulations to all the student winners from Kentucky’s Second District, and Nelson County High School student Dakota Kirchner for winning overall first place. I’m looking forward to seeing Dakota’s artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol with other winning artworks from across the nation. This competition would not be possible without the talented students and dedicated educators and volunteer judges. I thank everyone who contributed to this year’s competition, and I look forward to hosting this again next year,”said Guthrie.

Rep. Guthrie pictured with Belmont Christian Academy students who participated in the Congressional Art Competition; art teacher, Tracy Thornton; and students’ family members

Butler County High School student Konner Mason won second place overall with “The Golden Era,” and Dakota Kirchner also was selected as the third place overall winner with “Self Portrait.” The “Facebook Favorite” contest winner is Carson Connor with “Taste of Home.” The artworks of the second and third place overall winners as well as the “Facebook Favorite” winner will be on display in Guthrie’s Bowling Green congressional office.

Below is a full list of winners from the 2023 Congressional Art Competition:

Click on the artwork name to download the artwork photo. Click on the students’ names for photos of the students at the art competition reception, if available.

1st Place Overall:

Dakota Kirchner, Nelson County High School, “What If He Was Never Really There”