Keynote Speech on Art and Education at the Congressional Art Show

The 2015 Congressional Art Competition culminated in Washington, D.C. with the winners, members of Congress, and artist Perry Winkler in attendance. The Pennsylvania 5th Congressional District Representative, Glenn Thompson, is a supporter of the gallery and arranged for Perry to be the keynote speaker.

The video includes several speakers. Fast forward to 32:40 for Glenn Thompson's introduction of Perry:

Unfortunately, the speech was cut off before Perry shares his concluding statements. He has provided his written notes, as well as a few inspirational images which follow below:

I understand how today the lines between what is and is not politically correct can be blurred. There are certain topics that that may be viewed as controversial, but being that I was invited to share my personal experiences as an artist, I feel compelled to share an important and personal component to my drive and success as a painter.

As a young man in my late teens, I admit that I struggled, personally with the concepts of religion, God, and spirituality. Even though my parents saw to it that I attended church on a regular basis, it was not a “given” for me to have true faith. It was only as I grew as a person and through life experience that my faith has become a key component in my life and work. It has become increasingly obvious that God has been present in my life, not only personally, but also through my creative process and the many opportunities that have been presented to me.

La Bella Fontana

I no longer feel that, when only in eleventh grade, having my first art directors job offer fall into my lap when the President of a major advertising agency located in Asheville, North Carolina had a spontaneous meeting with my father while on a hunting venture in the vast woods of rural Pennsylvania was just a fluke. I don't view it as a “coincidence” that the Patsy Dunmire, an artist and teacher who became a strong mentor and major inspiration to me was employed at my school during the same period of time that I was enrolled there. It also seems beyond coincidence that a spontaneous introduction in the fall of 1978 at a dance club to an accomplished and successful artist named Roger Nippress would lead to a priceless and life long relationship based on 
our mutual appreciation for our craft.

A Homeward Glance

I realize now God has orchestrated all of these critical meetings and events in my life, and was doing so even before I had strength or conviction with my faith. My final bits of advice to young artists are to work hard, keep a positive attitude in spite of the ever present slings and arrows that life may throw at you, and to develop a sense of gratitude for the blessings that come your way. As long as you do your best, I know in my heart, that God will continue to open doors and place those important people and opportunities in your path, and that your future in art can grow beyond your greatest dreams.

-Perry Winkler; Conclusion to his 2015 keynote speech at the Congressional Art Competition in Washington,D.C.