Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) announced the winners of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition in Massachusetts' Third District. The winners were announced at her annual art competition reception held at The Chelmsford Center for the Arts.

“Every year, this competition reminds me just how much talent we have right here in the Third District,” said Congresswoman Trahan. "Nate's painting stopped me in my tracks – there's a real stillness and maturity to it that you don't expect from a high school student. I'm so proud of him and every student who had the courage to put their work in front of a panel of judges. The fact that 'Midsummer Indolence' will hang in the United States Capitol is a tribute not just to Nate, but to the incredible arts community we have across this district."

The winner of this year's competition is Nate Kim, an 11th grader at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School. His piece, titled "Midsummer Indolence," was created using oil paint on canvas and depicts a young child fishing by a pond, surrounded by lush green grass and plants. The painting will be displayed in the United States Capitol later this year alongside winning pieces from other congressional districts.

Trahan also announced the runners-up for this year's competition:

Second Place: Yumeng Mia Li from the Groton School with her submission titled "The Wash"

Third Place (tie): Westford Academy student Navya Katru's "Suspension" and Concord Academy student Krithik Davarjan's "Green Miles of the Routine: The Milkman"

This year's winners were selected by a three-judge panel: Sara Bogosian, President and Executive Director of the Whistler House Museum of Art in Lowell; Eileen Williston, Executive Director of The Umbrella Arts Center in Concord; and Emily Mazzola, Curator at the Fitchburg Art Museum.

About the Congressional Art Competition: Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent across the country and in each congressional district. Since the competition began in 1982, more than 700,000 high school students have participated. Students submit entries to their representative's office, and panels of local artists select the winning entries. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. First-place pieces are displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol, and the winner will be invited to a celebratory reception in Washington, D.C. in June.

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