Agawam teen’s painting selected to represent 1st District in U.S. Capitol

May 18, 2022 | Mike Lydick
mlydick@thereminder.com

Congressman Richard Neal, left, and Agawam Mayor William Sapelli pose with Samantha Leary and her painting, “Red Tree Garden, Raleigh, NC.”
Reminder Publishing photo by Mike Lydick

AGAWAM — A painting that an Agawam student created from a photograph for an art assignment will soon be hanging in the halls of Congress.

Agawam High School senior Samantha “Sam” Leary learned early last week she was among the winners in the 2022 Congressional Art Competition, a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district.

This year’s contest in the 1st Congressional District included 46 submissions from across western and central Massachusetts. Congressman Richard Neal visited AHS on the morning of May 10 to congratulate Leary on being selected as the winner from his district.

Neal was joined by Mayor William Sapelli, Superintendent of Schools Sheila Hoffman, AHS Principal Jim Blain, Leary’s art teacher, Amber Walters, and Leary’s parents, Jessica and Ronald Leary Jr.

Leary’s piece, “Red Tree Garden, Raleigh, NC,” will represent Massachusetts’ 1st Congressional District and hang in the U.S. Capitol for one year, alongside winners from across the country.

“I’m thrilled to congratulate Samantha on winning this very competitive contest,” said Neal. He said Leary’s piece was chosen by a trio of judges and highlights the “immense talent” in his district.

“I was shocked when I found out I had won this award. I never expected it would get this far,” said Leary, who is also a published illustrator for children’s books.

Leary said she shot the photo of a view from a restaurant last November when she and her mother were in Raleigh, NC, touring the campus of North Carolina State University.

When she got an assignment for Walters’ Art Honors II class to create an impressionist painting from an original photograph, Leary knew exactly which photograph she would choose.

“It had to be personal to yourself — so it had to be very original. I immediately chose that North Carolina photograph because of the many fond memories of that time, the composition of the photo, and how personal it was to me,” she explained.

Walters said Leary has taken numerous art classes at AHS, with all three art teachers.

“Sam is a kind, young woman who is extremely hard working. She does very well, not only in the visual arts, but in many of her other classes as well.” She added that Leary, who is involved in numerous clubs and activities, is currently the stage manager for the school’s upcoming play. Walters said Leary takes a great sense of pride in everything she creates.

“When she finished this painting, I knew I wanted to enter it,” Walters said. “There’s something really special about this piece. It’s simply stunning and masterfully crafted, in my opinion.”

Leary said she is “almost without words” about her award: “It’s unbelievable. It’s such an incredible opportunity for me.”

Principal Jim Blain said the school’s entire learning community is “incredibly proud” of Leary.

“Every student that walks through our doors brings with them a characteristic or talent that makes our school so very special,” Blain said. “For Samantha, it’s her gift of art. We’re lucky to have many talented artists here, and we count Samantha as one of our best.”

Art has been important to Leary ever since she was a child.

“Some of my first memories are of me just watching my dad paint and trying to pick up the paintbrush and copy his movements,” she said. “I wanted to develop some of his skill with the brush — and, apparently, some of it paid off.”

She said both her parents and her art teachers helped her throughout high school. “They’ve really pushed me to be the best that I can be and to continue honing my skills.”

Her father said he’s “amazed” at how well his daughter has approached this challenge.

“We’re all thrilled with her achievement,” he said. “Sam has a great gift and wonderful eye for the arts.”

While Leary enjoys drawing and photography, painting is her favorite medium.

“I love them all, but I like painting the best. Painting is when things really start to come to life — it brings out the soul of your piece of work and you can bring your own narrative into the painting. … Art is about evoking emotion and inspiring others. It’s not just about making pretty pictures.”

She added that whenever she paints, she wants to tell a story of herself and who she is as an artist:

“The painting becomes a part of me that I’m expressing to the rest of the world.” The North Carolina painting, she said, “brings in my past, my upbringing, as well as who I want to be in the future. It’s like my fingerprints — my identity.”

She said her winning painting also expresses her hopes, dreams, and aspirations. “It’s the future and the opportunity for the rest of my life.” Leary described it as coming through the dark tunnel of the pandemic and seeing a gorgeous view.

“It’s like a deep breath that you’re letting loose that you didn’t know you had — it shows hope and feelings of serenity or relief,” she added,

As an impressionist painting, it’s not 100 percent identical to the original photograph. Leary used very defined brushstrokes that she said have a “an uncontrolled feel” to them.

The 17-year-old will be headed to the University of Connecticut in the fall to major in veterinary medicine. She plans to follow in her father’s footsteps by painting on the side, and perhaps selling some paintings. She also will continue to illustrate for a few children’s books.

“I’m very proud that her hard work is being recognized,” said her mother. “Sam is a very talented and determined young lady. I’m happy that her teacher saw that in her, as well.”

Although she is “very honored” to have her work hanging in the Capitol, Leary said she would “love” for her artwork to be on the cover of a novel. She said, “That would be amazing.”

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