Prescott, AZ – Every spring, the U.S. House of Representatives sponsors the Congressional Art Competition, which recognizes and celebrates the artistic talent of high school students in each congressional district.

On Saturday, Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) welcomed students, families, and educators to the Phippen Museum in Prescott, where he presented scholarship awards to outstanding young artists from across Arizona’s Second Congressional District.

The event would not have been possible without the dedication of Edd Kellerman, Jeannette Holverson, and the entire team at the Phippen Museum. Local artists Susan Averill, Chris Sommerfelt, and Karen Armstrong also volunteered their time to review the entries and select this year’s winning pieces.

Additionally, several of Arizona’s premier colleges and universities partnered with the competition by offering tuition scholarships, including Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Grand Canyon University, Northern Arizona University, Northern Pioneer College, and Yavapai College.

“The Congressional Art Competition offers our talented high school artists the opportunity to showcase their skills, and it’s an honor to play a role in the process. On behalf of my team, I am deeply grateful to the Phippen Museum, our partners in higher education, and our professional judges for collaborating on this great tradition. We also appreciate the teachers who encouraged their students to participate, as well as everyone who came out to celebrate this occasion,” said Rep. Crane.

This year’s 1st Place winner was Lindsey Cox, a student from Winslow High School, for her piece titled “Albert Camus and His Cat.”

Lindsey will be flown to Washington, D.C., for an awards banquet and will have her award-winning artwork displayed for a year in the U.S. Capitol. 

Jazmin Hunt, a student from Mingus Union High School, won 2nd place for her piece titled “Cat Eye.”

Sarah Meyer, a student from Prescott High School, won 3rd place for her piece titled “Desert Nightlife.”

Her mother accepted the award on her behalf at the ceremony.

McKenzee Stapleton, a student from Prescott High School, received Honorable Mention for her piece titled “Disfigured.”

The People’s Choice Award allows the public to vote for their favorite piece of art submitted to the competition from their congressional district.

This year, the award was given to Isabel McKean, a student from Mingus Union High School, for her piece titled “The Burning Bush.”