Rep. Estes Announces 2026 Congressional Art Competition Winners
Wichita,
April 14, 2026
The office of Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) announced the winners of this year's Congressional Art Competition Saturday, April 10, during a reception and awards program at Mark Arts in Wichita. Each year, the U.S. House of Representatives hosts a nationwide competition for talented high school students. Competitions take place in each congressional district with each winner having their artwork on display in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., for about one year, in addition to other prizes. Because of his support for young artists in the 4th Congressional District of Kansas, Congressman Ron Estes also hosts an art exhibit in the district to display and celebrate the talent of all of the participants. This year, the competition contains 214 pieces of art from 170 students representing 18 different high schools in five different counties. “It’s a yearly highlight to witness the incredible talent and passion that Kansas’ young artists bring to their work,” said Rep. Estes of this year's art show and reception. “I’m excited to see Melian’s pastel drawing in the Capitol complex and appreciate all the students, faculty and family who participated and encouraged the students in this year’s competition.” The winner Melian Miller, 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. Nine other students received Honorable mentions, and six students were named best in their medium. Winners were chosen by a jury of local artists and community leaders – Tarah Clark, painter; Jim Clements, painter; and Steve Rasmussen, photographer. We thank them for their time, talent and commitment to art in south central Kansas. You may view the artwork and learn more at estes.house.gov/art. 2026 Congressional Art Competition – Final Results 1st Place – Melian Miller, “The Thing With Feathers,” Pastel, Wichita High School East 2nd Place – Macy Mitchell, “Fresh Picked Cherries,” Colored Pencil, Berean Academy 3rd Place – Samuel Pletcher, “Wipe Out,” Watercolor, Central Christian Academy Best in Category: Computer-generated Art – Ashley Swingler, “Musical Sunflower,” Belle Plaine High School Photography – Reghan Eck, “Bet On Black,” Wichita Collegiate High School Mixed Media – Jayden Dexter, “La Famille,” Maize High School Colored Pencil – Macy Mitchell, “Fresh Picked Cherries,” Berean Academy Watercolor – Samuel Pletcher, “Wipe Out,” Central Christian Academy Pastel – Melian Miller, “From Me to You,” Wichita High School East Honorable Mentions: Zoe Mclntrye, “What Even Is True?,” Belle Plaine High School Charlie Ling, “Concrete Jungle,” Wichita Collegiate High School Cortevion Buckles, “Feel Again,” Wichita Heights High School Adam Garcia, “Sakura in the wind,” Attica High School Ashley Carpenter, “Tiger,” Central Christian Academy Norah Bouhouch, “The Lioness,” Wichita Northeast Magnet High School Phung Dinh, “Blooming,” Wichita High School East Syssy Bailon, “Internal Sin,” Wichita Heights High School Emme Strickland, “Hydrodynamic,” Wichita Collegiate High School
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