WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today met with Kalamazoo Central High School student Grady Hively to congratulate him in person on wining the Congressional Art Competition for Michigan’s Sixth Congressional District – which is represented by Upton. Hively, 16, and his mother Nancy, were in Washington, D.C., for a reception featuring the winning artists from congressional districts around the country.

“It was great to finally meet Grady and his mom who traveled all the way from Kalamazoo to see Grady’s great work displayed in the U.S. Capitol,” said Upton. “It was a special moment for sure. Fostering emerging and young artists as they develop their talent is one of the best parts of the job and after chatting with him today I expect big things from Grady in the future.”

Hively’s pastel of the Castle, which was built in 1895 by one of the city’s prominent business owners, Frank Henderson, was done as part of the classes he’s been taking at the Kirk Newman Art School at the Kalamazoo Institute of Art.

“We are delighted to be the inspiration for this wonderful work of the art,” said Francois Moyet, owner of The Henderson Castle Inn. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for the public to see it and the work beautifully showcases a prime site in Kalamazoo. We are very proud of it. The artist did amazing work. I myself will be flying to D.C. in the next two months to see the art hanging in the U.S. Capitol. It’s very exciting.”

To learn more about the Congressional Art Competition please click here.

To view additional pictures please click here.