Ocean City High Schooler Gets 1st Place In Congressional Art Competition

OCEAN CITY, NJ — A 16-year-old Ocean City High School student has taken first place for the 2nd Congressional District in this year's Congressional Art Competition.

Gillian Acocella's artwork will be on display in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol Building for a year. She will also receive an invitation to join other winners for an in-person lunch reception and award ceremony at the Capitol Building.

Acocella, a sophomore, has been drawing since she learned to pick up a pencil, the Ocean City School District said in a news release. Over the years, her childhood doodles grew into something more significant, culminating in her award-winning charcoal portrait of Marilyn Monroe.

“I am extremely grateful and proud of myself,” said Acocella about winning the competition. “I chose to draw Marilyn Monroe because of her significance to women around the world and the iconic public figure she is.”

The Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide event that recognizes and encourages the artistic talents of high school students. Since it began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have been involved with the competition.

“Selected to represent OCHS, Gillian’s artwork obviously stood out among numerous entries and captured the attention of judges with its originality,” said OCHS Principal Dr. Wendy O’Neal. “This honor not only reflects her individual brilliance but also highlights the strength of the arts education in our community.”

Students from every Congressional District submit a non-copyrighted drawing to their representative’s office. Acocella learned about the competition from her freshman year OCHS art teacher and decided to participate.

“We are so proud of Gillian receiving this well-deserved honor,” Ocean City School District Superintendent Dr. Christian Angelillo. “Her pieces are truly impressive, and her dedication to art is inspiring. The teachers and staff at OCSD will continue to support and encourage her as she pursues her passion.”

Acocella plans to continue studying art after high school at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

“Both my mom and my sister are artists,” said Acocella. “I was always surrounded by art growing up and I wanted to make art like them.

Acocella, who also is a member of the OCHS wind ensemble, prefers to use charcoal because it makes drawings look smooth and soft. In addition, she works with colored pencils and plans on creating pieces with paint.