Art Competition
Congressman Brandon Gill is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 Congressional District Art Competition. The competition was open to public, private, and homeschooled high school students residing and/or attending schools located in Texas's 26th Congressional District.
Professional Artist John Kokalis served as the art jurist for this year’s competition and selected the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place winning art pieces based upon this year’s theme: “Celebrating 250 Years of America.” All the participating student artists will receive a Special Certificate of Congressional Recognition.
The First Place winner is Annika Niu, for her acrylic paint artwork “Echoes of Revolution.” Annika is a student of Min Sun at the Academy of Ivy Art in Lewisville. Annika’s artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. The exhibit hallway in the Cannon House Office Building tunnel is traveled daily by Members of Congress, their staff, and thousands of visitors who view the artwork from congressional districts across the country. Each piece will be highlighted with the congressional district, title of the artwork, and the name of the student artist.
“Echoes of Revolution” by Annika Niu
As the 26th District First-Place winner, Annika, and one parent/guardian, will be invited to see the unveiling of her artwork at the national reception and exhibition in Washington, D.C., on June 25th, 2026. Congressman Gill’s staff will arrange a tour of the U.S. Capitol for our First-Place winner and their parent/guardian. In addition, the First Place Winner’s artwork will be featured on the House.gov Congressional Art Competition page and the Congressional Institute’s website.
The Second Place winner is Emily Zhang, a 12th grader at Flower Mound High School, for her Ink Pen/Graphite/Colored Ink Pen/Colored Pencil artwork “Weaving Together America.” Emily is a student of Michelle Soto. As the Second-Place winner, Emily’s artwork will be displayed in Congressman Gill’s Capitol Hill office for one year.
“Weaving Together America” by Emily Zhang
The Third Place winner is Maanya Varma, a 10th-grader at Flower Mound High School, for her oil painting titled “Riding Free.” Maanya is a student of Nancy Lawrence. The Third-Place winner will have the opportunity to have their artwork hung in Congressman Gill’s Flower Mound district office for one year.
“Riding Free” by Maanya Varma
