Isabel Domenico’s mixed media piece “Foot Traffic” was awarded Best in Show during the Eighth District Congressional Art Contest. (Photo Courtesy Easton Public Schools) 
Oliver Ames High School student Ava Vieira received runner-up for this year’s Eighth District Congressional Art Contest for her illustration “Artist’s Block.”(Photo Courtesy Easton Public Schools) 
Isabel Domenico’s mixed media piece “Foot Traffic” was awarded Best in Show during the Eighth District Congressional Art Contest. (Photo Courtesy Easton Public Schools)
EASTON — Superintendent Lisha Cabral and Principal Kelly Cavanaugh are pleased to share that Oliver Ames High School student Isabel Domenico was recently recognized as the winner of this year’s Eighth District Congressional Art Contest.
“Isabel is among one of the hardest working students that I have ever had, her determination and care is reflected in all of her meticulous compositions,” said Art Teacher Kristen Shea. “I have had the pleasure of witnessing her grow into the phenomenal artist she is today and I am thrilled that she has received this outstanding and well-deserved achievement.”
Each spring, members of Congress sponsor high school visual art competitions to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district.
Each year, all entries which are submitted to the contest by district art faculty, are displayed in a formal gallery setting and judged by a panel of district artists.
Domenico’s mixed media piece, “Foot Traffic,” was awarded Best in Show. She was formally recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, June 27.
The winning artwork depicts various feet walking in a school hallway. Her inspiration was her pet peeve, slow walkers.
“This piece is extremely important to me,” said Domenico. “I created it my junior year, where all slow walkers did was make me late to my next class, and I was only focused on getting to my next class and through the days. However, looking back on it, as a senior I felt so focused on my future and what was to come, when in reality I, and everyone else in these crowded hallways, despite the irony of the pet peeve, needed to slow down and savor every last moment, even if that means taking a little longer walking to class.”
Her winning artwork will hang in the U.S. Capitol for the next year.
During her senior year in the art program, Domenico received four Scholastic Art Awards, a gold and silver key, as well as two honorable mentions. She also was chosen to be one of the Class of 2024’s Massachusetts Amazing Emerging Artists.
This is the 11th time an Oliver Ames High School student has received Best in Show since 2008.
“In reflecting on the past and present, I am incredibly proud of our art students’ remarkable success, with this being the 11th Best in Show for an Oliver Ames artist, since Oliver Ames art students began competing in the Congressional Art Competition 16 years ago,” said Shea.
Oliver Ames High School student Ava Vieira received runner-up for this year’s Eighth District Congressional Art Contest for her illustration, “Artist’s Block.”
“I would like to congratulate both Isabel and Ava and their teachers for this prestigious recognition,” said Superintendent Cabral. “They are gifted artists who have added a great deal to our art program throughout their high school careers. Congratulations on behalf of the Easton Public Schools.”
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