Skip to Content

Press Releases

Womack Congratulates 2018 Congressional Art Competition Winner

Washington, April 30, 2018

ROGERS, Ark. — Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition is sponsored by the members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The 2018 competition was open to all high school students in the Third District. From the 60 entries representing 11 schools, the top five finalists were selected by a panel of judges from the community, Mr. Alejo Benedetti, Assistant Curator at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Ms. Karolyn Farrell, Educational Specialist, local artist, and former educator and administrator, and Dr. Sara McBee, local artist and retired physician.

Today, Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) hosted an awards presentation and finalist unveiling at the Rogers Senior Wellness Center, where he announced that Emma Edmonds of Southside High School won first place for her piece, “Oceanic Deconstruction.” It will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol.

Other finalists included:

  • Second place: “The Cycle,” by Jeffery Hernandez of Siloam Springs High School
  • Third place: “Perpetual Expectations,” by Shamar N. Inclán of Siloam Springs High School
  • Fourth place: “Dedicated to my cat, Larson,” by Brenna Metts of Flippin High School
  • Fifth place: “Ode to Bosch,” by Laura Magallón of Siloam Springs High School

In addition to these finalists, Congressman Womack recognized two additional awardees:
  • People’s Choice Award: “Untitled,” by José Ninche of Har-Ber High School
  • Patriot Award: “Taking Flight,” by Ashley Gipson of Southside High School 


“The Congressional Art Competition provides a platform for young, Third District artists to express themselves through creative means and showcase their immense talents. With 60 impressive entries, our judges undoubtedly had a hard job to do, and I look forward to seeing Emma’s piece, ‘Oceanic Deconstruction,’ hanging in the halls of the Capitol. Congratulations to all the entrants on a job well done!”


To view the 2018 Congressional Art Competition finalist’s artwork, please visit Congressman Womack’s website.



Congressman Steve Womack has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on the Budget and is a member of the House Appropriations defense, military construction-veterans affairs, and labor-health and human services subcommittees.

womack.house.gov

###