State Rep Wants To Decorate Capitol Office With Art By Kids

SOUTHINGTON/HARTFORD, CT — The state House of Representatives chairwoman of the legislative Committee on Children has devised a perfect plan to decorate her office — using artwork by local kids.

Rep. Liz Linehan said this week she is looking for young artists from towns in her district — Southington, Cheshire and Wallingford — to supply artwork for display in the Committee on Children office suite at the state Capitol.

"I have this big office and I haven’t put anything of my own up on the walls," Linehan said. "I realized it was because I feel this office really doesn’t belong to me. It belongs to the children and families I represent."

Linehan said artists younger than 18 interested in participating should email a photo of their artwork to http://www.housedems.ct.gov/Linehan/Art.

All mediums will be considered, including short, inspirational stories and papers.Linehan said. A short biography of the artist also should be included.

Linehan said she would pay for any necessary framing.

Winners will be chosen Aug. 6 and notified by email.

All winning artists and their parents will be invited to tour the Capitol with Linehan, and see the artwork on a special visit. The tour will be schedulked for August, before the start of school.

"Please, help me inspire creativity for kids at the Capitol," Linehan said. "Nothing makes an office feel more like home than the artwork of our children. Your stories will help remind me of the importance of the work we do. It’s all about the kids."