Lecanto Middle School Student’s “Great Blue Heron” Takes Flight to the Capitol

Citrus County is once again represented at the Florida State Capitol, showcasing the incredible artistic talent of our middle school students through the prestigious Art in the Capitol Competition!

This year, the honor goes to Penelope DeMarco, an 8th-grade student at Lecanto Middle School, whose stunning artwork, titled “Great Blue Heron,” has been selected to be displayed in Tallahassee.

A Heron’s Tale in Collage

Penelope’s winning piece is a beautiful mixed-media work, described as a “Heron collage with blue/green background.” The detailed image captures the serene beauty of the heron, meticulously rendered in what appears to be a textured collage over a vibrant, layered background of blues and greens, evoking the lush Florida landscape.

This achievement is a testament to Penelope’s talent, dedication, and the excellent art program at Lecanto Middle School, led by her teacher, Hillary Hewit.

Displayed for All of Florida to See

The Art in the Capitol Competition is an annual statewide visual arts contest that encourages artistic expression among middle school students in grades 6 through 8. Penelope’s artwork, representing Citrus County, will be sponsored for display during the upcoming legislative session by our State Representative J.J. Grow.

Having “Great Blue Heron” on display in the Capitol building is an immense source of pride for her family, school, and the entire community. It offers legislators and visitors from across the state a chance to admire the creativity and perspective of one of our young artists.

Celebrating All Our Student Artists

Penelope’s success in the Art in the Capitol Competition highlights the vibrant arts education in Citrus County. Our community consistently encourages and celebrates student achievement across both state and national platforms, including:

• The Art in the Capitol Competition (Middle School): Showcasing the best artistic talent of Florida’s middle school students.
• The Congressional Art Competition (High School): A national competition that allows high school students to have their work displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C.

A huge congratulations to Penelope DeMarco on this phenomenal achievement! We look forward to seeing her artistic journey continue to soar.

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