WELLS – Earlier this winter, Wells High School junior Nicholas Maynard received one Gold and two Silver Key awards plus an honorable mention for his art work submitted in the regional portion of the 2017 National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards contest.

One of those art submissions, a Silver Key winning photograph of a local farm animal, went a step further in recognition.

In early February, Maynard was notified by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree that his image of a cow on Spiller Farm in Wells had been recognized in Maine’s First District portion of the 2017 Congressional Art Competition, a contest sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives.

“I am so pleased to inform you that, earlier this week, judges for the 2017 Congressional Art Competition selected your photograph, Moo You, as Second Runner-up for Maine’s First Congressional District.  Congratulations!” wrote Pingree who added at the close of her letter, “I applaud this special recognition and your commitment to making and sharing your art.”

High school students who have received either a Gold or Silver Key in the Scholastic Art Contest are eligible to enter their work into the Congressional Art Competition.  

According to Visual Arts Director Julie Horn of the Maine Arts Commission, Maynard’s photograph along with 11 other winning student entries from Maine’s First and Second Congressional Districts will be displayed on the first floor of the Maine State House from April 1 through May 3. There will also be a reception for the 12 student artists at the Blaine House in Augusta on May 4.  

Maynard said he saw a lot of cows in front of a house one day while driving past Spiller Farm in Wells.

He spotted one cow in particular who stood out from the others standing next to a fence and took an image of the animal with his Cannon camera and later, with some computer editing, achieved a certain look that became, Moo You.

“I am very glad that I received recognition for it,” said Maynard of his somewhat haunting image which is currently displayed on the Maine Arts Commission’s website: mainearts.maine.gov.

According to the web page of the Maine Arts Commission, “The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for Members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents.” Further down the statement continues, “The Maine Arts Commission partners with the Maine College of Art and the National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards to select the artwork.”