WICHITA – Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) announced the winners of this year's Congressional Art Competition Saturday, April 23, 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. This year, the 4th Congressional District had 168 entries from 116 students representing 17 high schools in six different counties.
"This year's Congressional Art Competition contained many exceptional pieces from a talented group of young artists," said Rep. Estes. "Jacob's mixed media painting, 'The Bouquet,' will represent Kansas well alongside art from across the country on display in the U.S. Capitol."
The winner, Jacob Espinoza, a Wichita High School East student, received a cash prize courtesy of Marc and Erin Mason. Second and third place winners also received cash prizes courtesy of Craig and Dalene Nelson. Twelve other students received Honorable Mentions, and two People's Choice winners tied after voting ended at Saturday's reception.
The jury consisted of Jim Clements, oil painter; Ann Hathaway, line artist; Chloe Lang, gallery & program director, Mark Arts; and Steve Rasmussen, photographer.
2022 Congressional Art Competition – Final Results
1st Place – Jacob Espinoza, "The Bouquet," Mixed Media, Wichita High School East
2nd Place – Haley Wyckoff, "Hands of a Fisherman," Pencil, Arkansas City High School
3rd Place – Taylor Sutton, "Danica's Cow," Painting, Flinthills High School
Honorable Mentions:
Madeleine Albert, "Deceitful Guidance," Mixed Media, Wichita Collegiate School
Madeleine Albert, "Disentanglement," Mixed Media, Wichita Collegiate School
Lily Conrad, "Phoenix," Painting, Wichita Collegiate School
Kayla Estrada, "Confined," Pencil, Arkansas City High School
Molly Ha, "Paro," Digital, Wichita High School East
Raegan Lefevre, "Portrait of a Young Woman," Photograph, Goddard High School
Isabelle Maida, "Lecture," Painting, Wichita High School East
Jocelyn Moran-Puentes, "Morning Night," Mixed Media, Wichita High School West
Ellie Schulte, "Linked for Life," Photograph, Wichita Collegiate School
Addison Smith, "Gas Station," Colored Pencil, Andover Central High School
Hannah Wiebe, "Record Player," Marker, Goddard High School
Corissa Wiles, "Still Moments," Photograph, Goddard High School
People's Choice (as determined by votes during the April 23 awards reception):
Brooklyn Hicks, "You did it!," Mixed Media, Wichita Northeast Magnet High School
Kelsey Smith, "Overgrown," Colored Pencil, Smith's Homeschool
Download photos of winning artwork here.
Download photos from the reception here.
Download photos of students receiving their certificates here.
