Grath, congratulations, but I am not surprised at all. You are simply getting the recognition your work deserves. Now, just get that website going, and everything will be just right! All kidding aside, you've heard it before, but having a website up before the competiton goes further will attract non-artists viewing the Smithsonian site easy access to your work.
So everyone reading this, let's nag the hell outta Garth until he gets one up!
Hope your piece goes further into the competition, good luck buddy!