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Washington, D.C. – Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16) recently announced the winners of the 16th Congressional District of Illinois 2023 Congressional Art Competition. The Congressional Art Competition is an annual opportunity to showcase artistic high schoolers in central and northern Illinois.

This was Congressman LaHood's 8th Congressional Art show, and the first for the new 16th District. Participants were judged anonymously by a volunteer panel and award winners were chosen by a cumulative vote. There were 138 pieces of art submitted from 17 schools throughout the 16th District.

“It was great to see so much energy and enthusiasm from students and teachers in this year's art competition, enabling students to express themselves through art", stated Rep. LaHood. “Congratulations to all of our award recipients this year, particularly to our first-place winner Brooklyn Smith from Illinois Valley Central (IVC) High School, whose piece ‘Love Bears’ will be displayed in the halls of our nation’s Capital Building in Washington D.C.”

Congressman LaHood honored the finalists at a reception in Rockford, where the winner was announced, and the final pieces were revealed. The Art Show is still ongoing at the Peoria Riverfront Museum where you can view all of the pieces until Saturday, May 20th during normal museum business hours.

Rep. LaHood is pictured above with Brooklyn Smith from IVC and her winning piece 'Love Bears' which will be placed in the U.S. Capitol.

Second Place 

"Cycle of Existence" by Tianna Bond, Normal Community High School

Honorable Mentions 

"The Gaze of a Rooster" by Darah Hankins, Illinois Valley Central High School

"Decomposition" by Lucas Hallihan, Pekin Community High School

"Love to Copper" by Morgan Viggers, Metamora Township High School

"A Different Time" by AJ Westley, Washington Community High School

"Walk with Me" by Corinna Kahrs, Washington Community High School

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