Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) welcomed the 2019 Congressional Art Competition winner – Arlan Brannon-Sibley of Galesburg, Illinois – to the U.S. Capitol, where her artwork titled “Ignis Fatuus” will be displayed for the next year.
“Arlan is an exceptionally talented young artist and I’m proud to have her artwork represent Illinois’ 17th Congressional District in the halls of the Capitol,” Congresswoman Bustos said. “Every year, I look forward to welcoming the winning student to Washington and it was a pleasure meeting with Arlan and her family today. I wish her all the best in her future endeavors and hope she continues her passion for the arts and storytelling.”
“I was thrilled to answer the phone and learn that it was Congresswoman Bustos calling to let me know I was this year’s Congressional Art Competition winner,” said Arlan Brannon-Sibley of Galesburg High School. “Having never visited our nation’s capital before, it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. My family and I had a great time visiting with Congresswoman Bustos and I thank her for arranging such a great event for local high school students like myself. I’m honored to have my art displayed in the U.S. Capitol.”
Arlan’s artwork titled “Ignis Fatuus” – which in Latin translates to “something deceptive” – depicts her own image of Lady Justice who does not have a defined look. However, Lady Justice is typically seen wearing a blindfold and a sword. In her piece, Arlan decided to strip Lady Justice of her sword and place her blindfold on the scale as to suggest she is favoring one side over another.
The Congressional Art Competition, first held in 1982, is a nationwide high school art competition sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives. One winning piece of artwork from each House District was selected to be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington for the next year.
As the winner in Illinois’ 17th Congressional District, Arlan received two airline tickets to Washington, D.C. to see her artwork displayed in the Capitol. Runners-up have their artwork displayed in Congresswoman Bustos’ Illinois offices and in her Washington, D.C. office for the next year. High school students from Illinois’ 17th Congressional District were eligible to submit their original artwork for consideration. Congresswoman Bustos encouraged the public to vote for their favorite piece of art. You can see all of this year’s winning artwork by clicking here.
