Press Releases

WICHITA – Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) announced the winners of this year's Congressional Art Competition Saturday, April 17, during a reception and awards program at Mark Arts in Wichita. Each year, the U.S. House of Representatives hosts An Artistic Discovery: Congressional Art Competition for High School Students, which takes place in each 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. Because of his support for young artists in the 4th congressional district of Kansas, Rep. Estes also hosted an art exhibit in the district to display and celebrate the talent of all of the participants. The exhibit and reception also featured the 2020 winners who were unable to have a reception at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. This year, the 4th Congressional District had 177 entries from 130 students representing 23 high schools in eight different counties.

"Each year it's a highlight to see the creativity and skill of young Kansas artists," said Rep. Estes. "I look forward to seeing Hadley's pencil drawing on display in Washington soon and I'm grateful to all of the students who participated in this year's competition."
 
The winner, Hadley Colquhoun, an Arkansas City High School student, received a cash prize courtesy of Gary and Karma Mason. Second and third place winners also received cash prizes courtesy of Craig and Dalene Nelson and Dave and Janet Murfin, respectively. Eight other students received Honorable Mentions and a People's Choice winner was chosen by "faves" in the Flickr gallery.
 
The jury consisted of Jim Clements, Oil Painter; Steve Rasmussen, Photographer; and Chloe Gutmann, Exhibitions and Program Director, Mark Arts.

2021 Congressional Art Competition – Final Results

1st Place – Hadley Colquhoun, "2020," Pencil, Arkansas City High School
2nd Place – Rebekah Reed, "The Gatekeeper," Pencil, Wichita Northeast Magnet High School
3rd Place – Madeleine Albert, "Insanity, Meet Vulnerability," Mixed Media, Wichita Collegiate School

Honorable Mentions:
Ayah Al-Tabbal, "Glow Stick," Photograph, Wichita Collegiate School
Amelia Beck, "Peering into the Soul," Mixed Media, Wichita Heights High School
Kiyla Davis, "Annalynn," Painting, Campus High School
Camryn DeVore, "Floral Contrast," Painting, Cheney High School
Isiah Edison, "Earth’s Complexion," Colored Pencil, Hesston High School
Mara Howes, "8 Face," Acrylic Painting, Wichita East High School
Paola Montejano, "Afraid," Photograph, Wichita East High School
Taylor Sutton, "Grandma Gertrude," Pencil, Flint Hills High School

People's Choice (as determined by "faves" in the Flickr gallery by 5 p.m. on April 22):
Amelia Beck, "Peering into the Soul," Mixed Media, Wichita Heights High School