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BY MATTHEW STONE
Staff Writer 05/17/2008

Staff Writer

Max Pistner was trying to show the realities of war and genocide through art.

But he didn't expect his artwork -- produced using a wood block, acrylics and paper cutouts -- would ultimately represent Maine's First Congressional District in the U.S. Capitol building.

A panel of judges selected the Manchester student's work as a winner in the 2008 Congressional Art Competition.

As a result, Pistner's creation will hang in the U.S. Capitol, starting in June, with art from students representing each of the country's 435 congressional districts.

The painting, entitled "WAR," depicts scenes of violence and suffering in Sudan's Darfur region, where, according to United Nations estimates, 300,000 people have died and 2 million have been displaced in the past five years. A government-backed, Arab militia, known as the Janjaweed, has carried out much of the violence against Sudanese civilians.

Pistner, 18, a senior at Maranacook Community High School, said he completed the project in a class with art teacher Corliss Chastain.

"There needed to be a narrative," Chastain said of the assignment. "It had to make a statement, whether it was profound or simplistic. It was about more than a pretty picture."

Given her students' interests, Chastain said, she was not surprised many students chose to make political statements with their work.

Chastain selected Pistner's project for the Youth Art Month Exhibit in March at the Portland Museum of Art, sponsored by the Maine Art Education Association. Judges from the Maine Arts Commission later selected Pistner's work from the exhibit for the Congressional Art Competition.

Winning the competition was an exciting surprise, Pistner said. "It was beyond what I could expect from it."

Gov. John Baldacci, U.S. Reps. Tom Allen and Michael Michaud, and Maine Arts Commission members will recognize Pistner in a ceremony today at the Blaine House.

The ceremony will also honor Bangor High School senior Mary Howard, the competition winner for Maine's Second Congressional District.

Pistner said he will join other competition winners in Washington, D.C., on June 25 for a ceremony celebrating the new art.

In a statement, Allen called Pistner's winning project "a stunning work that speaks powerfully about the humanity and concern of its creator."

"He has already shown great artistic talent and maturity in his work," the statement said.

Pistner said he sought to bring attention to "the horrors" of the ongoing genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan.

"There definitely needs to be some sort of change in the world," he said.

Matthew Stone -- 623-3811, Ext. 435

mstone@centralmaine.com

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