Kelsey Sawyer of Richmond has won first place in the Seventh District Congressional Art Competition.

Rep. Eric I. Cantor, R-7th, presented Kelsey with the award May 2, 2008, at Capital One's West Creek Town Center.

Kelsey, a junior at Maggie Walker Governor's School, received the award for her self-portrait. She will attend a ceremony in Washington, where her artwork will be displayed for the next year in the Cannon Tunnel, between the Cannon House Office Building and the U.S. Capitol.

"The arts provide an important opportunity for educational growth, and this competition is a great way to showcase students' talents," Cantor said. "I congratulate Kelsey Sawyer on her achievement and thank all the gifted artists who submitted pieces for this contest."

The annual contest is open to all students in grades 9-12 who are residents of the 7th District, which stretches from the western end of Richmond to the Blue Ridge Mountains in Page County. Students submitted paintings, drawings, collages, prints (lithographs, silkscreen, block prints), mixed media, computer-generated art and photographs.

Cheryle Gardner, of the Virginia Department of Education, and Mary Jane Zander, an associate professor of art education at Virginia Commonwealth University, were judges for the contest.

Other winners are:

Sam Melby, Glen Allen, second

Abigail Bock, Louisa, third

Wayland Winston, Columbia, first runner-up

Hannah Mayhew, Glen Allen, first runner-up

Jordan Davis, Louisa, first runner-up

Caroline Jeanes, Orange, first runner-up

Austin Burdick, Flint Hill, first runner-up

Jennet Dickinson, Richmond, first runner-up

Tabbitha Needham, Columbia, second runner-up

Elaina Buie, Glen Allen, second runner-up

Amy Clements, Louisa, second runner-up

Tyler Burdick, Flint Hill, second runner-up

Emily Qiu, Richmond, second runner-up