Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Vice Chairman of the House Rules Committee, is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Congressional Art Competition! This annual competition was open to public, private, and home-schooled high school students in the 26th Congressional District. Ms. Sharon Warwick provided her expertise as a professional artist and educator and served as the 2023 contest jurist.

The Grand Prize winner of the 2023 26th Congressional District Congressional Art Competition is Riya Jadeja, a senior at Flower Mound High School, for her watercolor artwork entitled “To Bee or Not to Bee.” Riya’s art instructor is Nancy Lawrence. Riya will have her work displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. In addition, she will be invited to a celebratory reception in Washington, DC this summer with other winners from across the country.

Grand Prize: “To Bee or Not to Bee” by Riya Jadeja

Photo: Grand Prize Winner Riya Jadeja & Congressman Burgess

Morgan Bradford is a senior at Argyle High School and a student of Tanya Warborg-Kosla. Morgan’s alcohol marker piece entitled “Overshadowed” won First Place. Her artwork will be displayed in Congressman Burgess’ Lake Dallas district office for the upcoming year.

First Place: “Overshadowed” by Morgan Bradford


Photo: First Place Winner Morgan Bradford & Congressman Burgess

The public was invited to view digital student entries posted on Congressman Burgess’ website and vote online for their favorite artwork. The top vote-getter of the over 2500 votes received in the 2023 contest was named the “Texas Choice” winner. Emily Stanley was the “Texas Choice” winner for her gouache artwork entitled “Refracted Truth.” Lisa is a junior and student of Aimee Foutch at Ryan High School in Denton. Lisa’s artwork will also be displayed for the upcoming year in the Lake Dallas district office.

Photo: Texas Choice Winner Emily Stanley & Congressman Burgess
 

“Texas Choice” Winner: “Refracted Truth” by Emily Stanley

Photo (L to R): 2023 Art Competition Judge Sharon Warwick, Emily Stanley - Texas Choice Winner, Riya Jadeja - Grand Prize Winner, Morgan Bradford - First Place Winner, Congressman Michael Burgess.

In addition, while the students’ artworks were posted online, the art jurist selected the finalists in this year’s competition. She chose one artwork from each participating of the participating high schools as “Best of School,” and additional pieces she judged based upon artistic merit were named as “Juror’s Choice”. The finalists were recognized at an artists reception on May 2nd at the Lewisville Grand Theater. Congressman Burgess presented each finalist with a “Special Certificate of Congressional Recognition.”

Photo: 2023 Congressional Art Competition Finalists with Congressman Burgess

2023 Congressional Art Competition Finalists:

For more information, contact Robin Vaughan, Deputy District Director at robin.vaughan@mail.house.gov or 940-497-5031.