Congressional Art Competition

Each spring, a nationwide high school arts contest, the Congressional Art Competition, is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in Virginia's 5th Congressional District. The theme for our district’s competition was A View of Virginia.

The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, over 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition.

Tenth grader Kelly Bao from Monticello High School took first place with Seasonal Impression of Monticello, an impressive rendition of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello during all four seasons. Kelly’s artwork will be on display for Members of Congress, staff, and all who visit to enjoy as they enter U.S. Capitol this year. Winning Second Place was tenth grader Pingyi Zhu from Albemarle High School with Virginia’s Intricacies. The Third Place winner was Albemarle High School’s ninth grader Carol Yang with Red, White and Blue Virginia. Ashley Gale, a senior at Western Albemarle, recieved an honorable mention for her artwork, Welcome to Virginia. 

Kelly Bao's Seasonal Impression of Monticello

Click here to view all of the submissions from 2014.

Previous Congressional Art Competition winners from Virginia’s 5th District:

2013 - Finley Broaddus of Highland school with her artwork "Vint Hill Church"

2012 - Miranda Lynn Melton of Chatham High School with her artwork “Piedmont Pride”

2011 - Emily Ewing Hays of Charlottesville High School with her artwork “Diversity”