Davids Announces Winners of 2026 Congressional Art Competition

May 4, 2026 Press Release Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced the winner and runner-up of her 2026 Congressional Art Competition , which showcases the creativity and talent of high school students across Kansas’ Third District. The winning piece will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year, while the runner-up will be featured in Rep. Davids’ Overland Park district office. This year’s winner is Olivia Wang , an 11th grader at Blue Valley High School, for her piece titled “NOT a Collage: My Pieces.” Olivia was also the winner of last year’s competition. The runner-up is Sawyer Peralta , an 11th grader at Shawnee Mission South, for “The Coin Toss.” “Each year, I’m blown away by the creativity, talent, and perspective of students across our community,” said Davids . “This competition is a reminder that our young people have powerful stories to tell, and it’s an honor to help elevate their work. Congratulations to Olivia and Sawyer, and thank you to every student who participated this year.” WATCH: Davids congratulates this year’s winners Olivia’s winning artwork is a colored pencil drawing of a girl composed of multiple torn paper-like pieces, set against a black background with white cracked-glass detailing. The piece reflects themes of identity, pressure, and self-understanding as students approach major life transitions. Olivia describes the work as an exploration of how different parts of her personality and experiences come together to form a cohesive sense of self. “Winning means a lot to me,” said Olivia Wang, winner, 2026 Congressional Art Competition . “It’s truly a huge blessing and honor, and a great encouragement as I prepare to go to art school. It reminds me of the support I’ve received so far, and how much further I still have to grow. Seeing all the other amazing submissions motivates me to keep learning. I’m very grateful for this opportunity and honor.” “I think being the runner-up really shows that putting work into something like this pays off,” said Sawyer Peralta, runner-up, 2026 Congressional Art Competition . “I only started last year, but since then I’ve put in a lot of effort to improve, and I feel like I’ve grown pretty quickly. It’s really cool that this competition exists, and knowing my work will be displayed in her office is a great reminder that hard work does pay off.” The Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide initiative that recognizes artistic talent in high school students, with winning pieces from each congressional district displayed in the U.S. Capitol. The winner from Kansas’ Third District is chosen by a panel of local artists and other experts who judge each submission. Issues : Making Government Work for Kansans