Hayley Chambers, a first-year student at Ohio Northern University, has a piece of her art on display in the nation’s Capital. Sort of.
Unfortunately, Hayley’s winning painting got lost on its way from Ohio to Washington, D.C. So, for now, a copy is on display in the tunnel between the Cannon House Office Building and the Capitol while the search for the original goes on.
Each year members of the House of Representatives may honor one high school student from their districts by selecting a piece of artwork for inclusion in a year-long exhibit at the U.S. Capitol.
Hayley’s work, “All That Jazz,” won the Congressional Art Competition for Ohio Congressional District 4 represented by Jim Jordan (R-OH).
Hayley said she is thrilled that her painting was chosen for the exhibition last spring when she was a senior in high school. The painting was inspired by a trip with her high school marching band to St. Louis to learn more about jazz.
While she is disappointed that the original artwork disappeared in transit, she is hopeful it may be returned to her eventually, Hayley said.
Hayley found out about the loss the morning of her high school graduation party. “When my mom told me, I thought she was joking. It was surreal.”
“At first it was hard for me, she said, “but we’re dealing with it.”
According to an article in the Daily Signal, here’s what happened: The painting was shipped from Jordan’s Ohio district office via UPS, but was somehow lost in transit and ended up with an online auction company.
With the help of a friend who did a reverse image search for the painting on the internet, “All That Jazz” was located at the Gallery 27 auction house in Burnside, Kentucky, on August 30. Unfortunately, the auction house had already sold it along with a batch of other goods to a Kentucky man who runs garage sales. He recalled that a young couple in Pulaski County, Kentucky bought it for $1, but that’s where the trail ended — for now.
With the help of her mom, Jordan’s office, and Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY) the search continues.
“There’s nothing more impressive than a mom on a mission, and Mrs. Chambers has been working tirelessly to find her daughter’s lost artwork,” said Rep. Jordan. “We also appreciate Chairman Hal Rogers’ help as we continue to search for the art in Kentucky.”
Meanwhile, Hayley is carrying on with her studies at ONU.
Her high school teachers at St. Gerard’s Elementary and Lima Central Catholic in her hometown encouraged Hayley’s interest in art, leading her to choose art education as a university major.
“I knew I wanted to pursue art in some way and I had strong teachers, especially in high school. They inspired me to do what they do because they really had a big effect on my life and helped me grow my art. I wanted to help others grow their art.”
Hayley chose ONU after visiting a number of other universities.
“As soon as I walked into the art building, I knew this is where I wanted to go because the other schools didn’t have the same vibe or energy.”
Right now, she’s focused on her courses, is part of the Honors Program, and is serving as creative director for the program’s annual Trike-a-Thon. In her spare time, Hayley also runs a face painting business with a friend.
Hayley said if the original award-winning painting is found, she has a number of options for what to do with it after the exhibition at the Capitol is finished.
Her high school band director, who led the tour that inspired the painting, was interested in buying it, she said, or she might give it to the people who found and bought it at the yard sale.
Or, after all the painting’s travels, she might just keep it because “it has such a story behind it.”