Press Releases

WICHITA — Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) announced the 4th District winners of this year's Congressional Art Competition today on social media. Each year, the U.S. House of Representatives hosts An Artistic Discovery: Congressional Art Competition for High School Students, which takes place in every congressional district with each first-place winner having their artwork on display in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., for about one year. Due to COVID-19-related closures, an in-person exhibition and reception were replaced with a digital gallery, available at estes.house.gov/art. This year, the 4th Congressional District had 49 entries from 33 students representing 12 high schools. 
 
"Despite school building closures and social distancing, 33 students submitted exceptional works of art for this year's competition," said Rep. Estes. "Kansas will be well represented in the Capitol complex with works from all over the country, and I look forward to returning to an in-person celebration next year." 
 
The winner, Amy Baber, a Wichita Northeast Magnet High School student, will receive a cash prize courtesy of local sponsors in addition to her piece being displayed in Washington, D.C. Second and third place winners also receive cash prizes courtesy of local sponsors. Seven other students earned honorable mentions and a people's choice winner was chosen by "faves" in the Flickr gallery. 
 
The jury consisted of Jim Clements, Oil Painter; Chloe Gutman, Program Director, Mark Arts; Steve Rasmussen, Photographer; and Karen Scroggins, Assistant Professor of Graphic Arts, Friends University. 
 
2020 Congressional Art Competition – Final Results 
 
1st – Amy Baber, "Jade," Oil, Wichita Northeast Magnet High School 
2nd – Anahi Ticum, "l' shim," Acrylic, Wichita Northwest High School 
3rd – Ayah Al-Tabbal, "Bubble," Photography, Wichita Collegiate School 
 
Honorable Mention 
Madeleine Albert, "Heartbreak is Beautiful," Mixed Media, Wichita Collegiate School 
Amy Baber, "Saturated Soul," Oil, Wichita Northeast Magnet High School 
Leah Bowlby, "Fly," Ink, South Haven High School 
Hadley Colquhoun, "Green," Pencil, Arkansas City High School 
Hadley Colquhoun, "Hands," Pencil, Arkansas City High School 
Kelsey Smith, "Sunflower Sunshine," Colored Pencil, Smith's Homeschool 
Peyton Williams, "Self Portrait," Pencil, Arkansas City High School 
 
People's Choice (as determined by "faves" in the Flickr gallery by May 12) 
Erin Henry, "The Portrait of a Singer," Pencil, Sunrise Christian Academy 

Ron Estes is a 5th generation Kansan and represents Kansas’ 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means.